Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 June 2022
459. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of engagements or bilateral meetings that his Department has had to date with an organisation (details supplied) regarding the next forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33451/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, a national shared vision for the future of Ireland's trees and forests, and a new Forest Strategy, are currently being developed.
Extensive public consultation and engagement has taken place on the development of the shared national vision and the new Forest Strategy. One strand of the consultation process included bilateral meetings with key stakeholders - 28 of these meetings have taken place over the last number of months. A public attitudes survey, a community engagement survey and a youth dialogue have already been completed.
An online public consultation was launched on 16th March and closed on 27th April 2022, with over 3,000 responses received. These responses are currently being examined and will provide important feedback on a range of areas which will help shape the next Forest Strategy.
A Deliberative Dialogue of 100 people, representative of the general demographics of the population, took place on 10th and 14th May 2022. This event provided a platform for a diverse group of people to learn about the values associated with trees and forests, the challenges we face and to discuss and deliberate the future of Irish forests.
The new Forest Strategy will underpin a new Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027. My Department is currently engaging further with stakeholders on the measures that will be considered for the new Programme. To date, four bilateral meetings have taken place with members of the Forestry Policy Group (FPG). Details of Programme development will be presented to all members of the FPG on Thursday 23rd June. SEEFA are not members of the FPG and bilateral meetings with associations who are not members of this Group are not planned.
The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will be subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment process, and this will include public consultation on the draft Programme and Environmental Report.
