Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 to 268, inclusive, together.

The new Forest Strategy for 2023–2030 was published on 6^thSeptember 2023. This was informed by comprehensive engagement with the sector and other stakeholders, and public consultation.

This Strategy provides Ireland with a roadmap for the remainder of this decade to put in place strong foundations for the development of multifunctional forests that deliver for climate, nature, wood, people, and economic and rural development.

A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the new Forestry Programme was carried out prior to its commencement, and this also involved extensive consultation, including public consultation.

Ireland has a responsibility to protect species of birds and their habitats, particularly those that are most at risk. This includes Hen Harriers and specific breeding waders, namely Curlew, Dunlin, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Snipe and Redshank. Also, the EU Commission’s State Aid Guidelines for afforestation place a strong emphasis on protecting high nature value farmland from inappropriate afforestation.

In the State Aid approval letter, the EU Commission specified that “Afforestation will be adapted to environmental sensitivities, such as habitats and species (including NATURA sites, Freshwater Pearl Mussel and Hen Harrier, Breeding Curlew, open habitat birds, Annex I habitats), high nature value farmland, peat soils, hedgerows, water quality (including fisheries sensitive areas, waterbody status, acid sensitive areas), archaeology, landscape, and local sensitivities.”

Following receipt of the State Aid approval letter, the details around the protection of birds and high nature value farmland in an afforestation context were set out and published by my Department in the document Environmental Requirements for Afforestation(2023)’. In-person training on these new requirements has been carried out with Registered Foresters and private ecologists. Further training will take place this year, as and when required.

In addition my Department has recently established an Afforestation Technical Working Group, comprising Registered Foresters and my officials to assist in identifying any technical issues associated with the delivery of the Afforestation Scheme, to ensure standards are applied correctly, and to identify and prioritise training requirements.