Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1232. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine following the damage done by Storm Éowyn, if timber harvested from private forestry can be sold on a volume rather than a tonnage basis, given much of the timber that fell during the storm will take an extended period of time to be harvested and transported to sawmills, meaning that the weight of the timber will be reduced in the meantime, and therefore farmers will be financially disadvantaged by having lower tonnages going into the mills, and considering a measurement of timber per cubic metre is the fairer system to be applied in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10640/25]

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1233. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will direct his departmental staff to work in sawmills nationally to measure and verify the volumes of timber being sold to the mills from private forests, thus ensuring that farmers can sell timber that fell during storm Éowyn on a volume- rather than tonnage basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10641/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1232 and 1233 together.

My Department recognises that the recent storms Darragh and Éowyn, have caused varying degrees of damage around the country, including significant damage to trees and that this presents challenges to all stakeholders in forestry.

It is clear from discussions with stakeholders that timber is sold in a variety of different ways. In some cases, timber is sold standing, sold by weight and other cases sold by volume. It is matter for the buyer and seller of timber to agree on the method of sale. My Department has no role in setting weight conversion factors and does not intervene in the market to prescribe the price or the method of sale. In view of this, it would not be appropriate to place Departmental staff in sawmills to measure and verify timber volumes.

The advice to forest owners is not to rush into any decisions but to make a step-by-step plan to minimise risk and maximise the salvage value of their trees. Most forests, despite being blown, can have considerable timber value, and will retain that value for some time, in particular if the tree is still connected to the roots.

Forests that have suffered windblow damage will retain their value for several months, and it depends on several factors such as size of timber, weather, species etc. Research in the UK found that with Sitka spruce this deterioration in value starts to become significant after 18 months.

I would encourage all stakeholders in the selling and buying of timber to engage constructively to ensure that the prices agreed are transparent and reflect the volume or weight determined. It is important when selling timber that contracts are in place and all terms and conditions are clearly outlined.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1234. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a scheme to grant aid the price difference of harvesting forests following Storm Éowyn, given that harvesting crews could normally harvest 180 tonnes per day for €15 per tonne but in windblown forests, harvesters are charging upwards of €25 per tonne and only harvesting 60-70 tonnes per day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10642/25]

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1235. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a scheme to grant aid the cost of additional diggers and track machines required to harvest windblown forests following Storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10643/25]

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1236. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a scheme to grant aid the additional transport costs of transporting timber harvested from windblown forests, given the normal price of transport has increased from €14 per tonne to €20 per tonne; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10644/25]

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1237. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to consider introducing an intervention scheme for forestry for windblown forests to ensure that timber that has fallen during Storm Éowyn can be harvested and stored in a timely manner to avoid it decaying on the ground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10645/25]

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1238. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to introduce a replanting grant for windblown forests in recognition of the fact that the less-mature timber that fell during Storm Éowyn will now be sold at a lesser price than anticipated by the farmer had the forests fully matured, given that replating is going to be more expensive than usual as additional rehabilitation works will be required on lands where trees were knocked during the storm and considering it is only fair that farmers are financially assisted when the price of their crop is reduced while the cost of replating is increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10646/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1234 to 1238, inclusive, together.

My Department recognises that the recent storms Darragh and Éowyn, have caused varying degrees of damage around the country, including significant damage to trees and that this presents challenges to all stakeholders in forestry.

Alongside Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae, I have set up a Forest Windblow Taskforce with stakeholders from across the sector to ensure that storm-damaged forests are managed safely and appropriately and that all issues in relation to the harvesting, mobilisation of timber and replanting of affected sites are considered. The Taskforce is meeting regularly and working collaboratively to address issues arising and held its fourth meeting yesterday.

At that meeting, significant focus was placed on the questions raised by the Deputy in relation to challenges in the cost of harvesting and harvesting capacity, the cost and capacity to mobilise timber and the question of storage for harvested timber. All are committed to addressing these issues and it will require a cohesive response across the sector. Arrangements to continue these discussions and to explore solutions are being made and there is a commitment to making progress on these matters.

In terms of storage while it may be an issue for some sites, it is the case that trees attached at the root may not suffer any loss in value if harvested within 18 months.

As regards replanting, my Department is currently examining all potential options to support those affected. However, without prejudging the outcome of these deliberations, I want to reassure affected forest owners that they will not be disadvantaged by undertaking clearance or replanting now.