Vol. 524 No. 2
151 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which forestry policy is geared to countering the increase in greenhouse gases; the species most suitable in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22294/00]
The Government's forestry policy as set out in "Growing for the Future – A Strategic Plan for the Development of the Forestry Sector in Ireland" is to increase Ireland's forest cover from its present level of 9% of land area to 17% by 2030. This strategy is to be achieved by planting approximately 20,000 hectares of forestry per annum. The planting programme is supported by a generous grants and premium package co-financed by the European Union. This significant increase in forestry will assist in countering the increase in greenhouse gases. If national planting targets are achieved, Irish forests will be sequestering over 1.5 million tonnes of carbon per year by 2008 – around 30% of the predicted surplus emissions of carbon dioxide.
Conifers are particularly well suited to play a significant role as a carbon sequestrator. It is estimated that one hectare of sitka spruce absorbs 3.3 tonnes of carbon per year while broadleaves absorb 1.3 tonnes. Over its rotation one hectare of conifers will remove approximately 100 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere per hectare, making conifers exceptionally efficient in combating the greenhouse gas effect.
