Vol. 534 No. 2
65 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the advice he has given in respect of forestry or tree planting with the objective of reducing ozone gases; if he has advised in respect of any particular species of tree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10334/01]
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% of land area by 2030. However this strategy was prepared prior to the Kyoto Protocol. My Department is now working to ensure that the issues associated with carbon sequestration are fully taken into account in the implementation of the strategy. The National Climate Change Strategy for Ireland recognises the significant benefits from forestry in terms of meeting Ireland's commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. The increased possibilities for forestry under the new rural environment protection scheme, REPS, will also deliver additional environmental benefits. A change in land use arising from the conversion of agricultural land from animal production to forestry ensures double dividend; a reduction in CH4 and N2O emissions and additional sequestration of carbon.
On species selection it is recognised that conifers are well suited as a carbon sink.
The National Climate Change Strategy also indicated that research would be undertaken to maximise the sequestration potential of forestry. In that context, Coford, the National Council for Forest Research and Development, the research agency funded by my Department, has recently approved in principle a project on carbon sequestration in Irish forest ecosystems. The overall objective of this project is to provide data to determine carbon budgets, spanning the entire life cycle of the major forest type in Ireland, namely, Sitka Spruce. This important research project will ultimately contribute to a better understanding of the carbon sequestration capacity of Irish forests.
