Agriculture Committee to discuss ongoing crisis in the Forestry sector

The meeting at 12:30 pm will be broadcast from Committee Room 4 of Leinster House.

Speaking in advance of the meeting, Cathaoirleach, Jackie Cahill TD, said: “The Committee published a comprehensive report in March after extensive consultations, with 15 recommendations trying to address the huge difficulties facing the industry. Minister Hackett and her officials have previously appeared before the Committee, and unfortunately the assurances given have not yet been delivered on. The targets in the Programme for Government, continued importation of timber for mills, and financial difficulties for contractors are the main issues arising out of the slow output of licences from the Department. These and the low level of afforestation, which is a critical point in trying to meet climate change targets, are among the items we will discuss tomorrow.

The Cathaoirleach added, “The low output from the forestry sector is now having a serious impact on other industries in the economy. Within the last few weeks, we have heard how the construction industry is straining due to lack of supplies, we need to do everything we can to assist the Forestry sector and prevent knock on affects in other industries.”

The Joint Committee on Agriculture and the Marine has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

You can view the meeting in Committee Room 4 on the Oireachtas website.

More information can be found on the dedicated Committee Webpage. Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.