Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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472. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent of deforestation in the State over the past five years; the number of hectares of woodland cleared annually; the primary reasons for such deforestation, including commercial, agricultural, or infrastructural activities; to provide information on enforcement actions taken in cases of illegal tree felling; the measures being implemented to protect native woodlands and increase afforestation rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29539/26]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Forestry in Ireland operates within a legal and regulatory framework and my Department acts on non-compliance, including deforestation. Felling of trees requires a licence, with an obligation to replant, and felling of trees without a licence is an offence under section 26 of the Forestry Act.

Replanting Orders are the primary method used, alongside prosecutions for non-compliance with the Forestry Act, to ensure replanting obligations are met. The EU Deforestation Regulation also aims to prevent the placement of products on the market from deforested areas.

Below is a table showing the number of Alleged Illegal Forestry incidents reported and acted upon since 2021. My Department follows up on all reports of deforestation, but all reports may not lead to legal action.

According to the latest COFORD All Ireland Roundwood Production report, the following harvest was predicted for each year since 2021. It should be noted that all harvested areas must be replanted as part of the felling licence conditionality.

My Department’s Felling and Reforestation Policy however, does outline scenarios where forests can be permanently removed, such as supporting renewable energy projects, or where there are overriding environmental considerations.

My Department works hard to promote afforestation and protect and expand native woodland through initiatives like Native Woodland, Continuous Cover Forestry, Emergent Forests and the initiative, ‘Forests on Public Lands’, which specifically encourages the planting of new native woodlands.

To assist the promotion of broadleaf, targets for broadleaf have been increased along with a significant increase in premiums, when establishing a native forest. In addition, the Native Tree Area Scheme facilitates small-scale planting. Finally, the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme provides financial support for appropriate management of existing native woodland.

Furthermore, should landowners who planted conifers, wish to replant with native trees, they can apply to the Climate Resilient Reforestation Scheme.

I am confident that attractive supports, measures in the Mid-Term Review, and the provision of tailored opportunities to landowners, will continue to encourage planting and ensure the sustainable management of those forests.