Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022
743. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the exact date that the consultation will begin for the new forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47894/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, my Department has recently published a Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050. This Shared National Vision has been informed by a series of extensive consultation methods with the public. These consultations included a public attitudes survey, an online survey, a study of the attitudes of rural communities, a citizens’ assembly style deliberative dialogue, a youth forum, and a series of bilateral meetings with key stakeholders. Individual reports and a summary of all six consultations are available on my Department’s website.
A new Forestry Strategy for Ireland is currently being developed. The draft Forest Strategy to 2030 has been shaped by the extensive public feedback received on the Vision over the last twelve months. This draft Forest Strategy will be subject to a period of public consultation, which is due to commence in the coming weeks.
In parallel my Department is also currently developing a new Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which will include the next Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027. The Forest Strategy Implementation Plan is subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment process, and this will include public consultation on the draft Plan and Environmental Report. It is expected that this consultation will commence in the coming weeks.
