Forestry Sector
Dail Éireann — 2025-10-14
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Michael Healy-Rae (IND), Kerry

Forests have an important role to play in mitigating climate change by sequestering and storing greenhouse gases. This can be achieved through the expansion of our forests and the increased use of timber products. In 2020 we planted 2,234 ha, followed by 2,016 ha in 2021, 2,073 ha in 2022, 1,651 ha in 2023 and 1,573 ha in 2024, and so far this year we have planted 2,297 ha. I have personally contacted a large number of those landowners who have valid licence approvals and have not as yet planted, encouraging them to take that next step. I am confident that we will reach nearly 3,000 ha by year-end.
I am sure the Deputy will praise me highly when I reach that target and, instead of shouting at me, he will be my biggest advocate and backer to say that I achieved such a thing.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2025-10-14/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-21T01:01:04+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-10-14