Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
852. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement and consultation plan for the upcoming forestry programme 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22774/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA national shared vision for the future of Ireland's trees and forests and a new Forestry Strategy are currently being developed.
An extensive public consultation process on the new strategy is underway. Bilateral stakeholder meetings have taken place over the last number of months. A public attitudes survey and a community engagement survey have already been completed and presented to the Forestry Policy Group. An online public consultation was open from 16th March to 27th April and over 3,000 responses were submitted. Deliberative dialogue in the form of a national event is also planned for later this month.
The new Forest Strategy will underpin a new Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027. My Department will engage further with stakeholders on the measures that will be considered for the new Programme and details of this engagement will be made available in the coming weeks.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Programme is also subject to a Strategic Environmental Analysis/Appropriate Assessment process, and this will include public consultation on the draft plans and Environmental Report.
