Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2026
221. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way the stakeholders for participation in the Mid-Term Review of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 were selected. [22680/26]
View answer222. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine which environmental and social groups were represented as stakeholders in the Mid-Term Review of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 were selected. [22681/26]
View answer223. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether there were any individuals or groups denied participation as stakeholders in the Mid-Term Review of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027; and if so, the basis. [22682/26]
View answer224. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether there was a public consultation process for the Mid-Term Review of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027; and if not, the reason. [22683/26]
View answer225. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all stakeholder submissions to the Mid-Term Review of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will be published. [22684/26]
View answer228. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the Mid-Term Review of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 resulted primarily in incremental scheme changes rather than structural reforms to address the continuing decline in new forestry planting. [22687/26]
View answer241. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the mid-term review of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 concluded that the proposed changes would have no likely environmental impacts; and whether an independent environmental assessment was conducted. [22702/26]
View answer243. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine which proposals from the mid-term review of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 consultation could not be implemented due to State aid constraints; and when these proposals will be reconsidered. [22705/26]
View answer244. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has begun work on the next forestry programme after 2027; and the way in which the lessons from the mid-term review will inform its design. [22706/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 221 to 225, inclusive, 228, 241, 243 and 244 together.
The Forest Strategy Consultative Committee (FSCC) represents a broad range of Forestry stakeholders across State agencies, industry and environmental groups. It was established as a consultative group to make contributions to the implementation of our Forest Strategy and to receive updates on the implementation of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027.
The Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 was not designed to create new forest policy or to reform current objectives. Instead, it aimed to help fulfil my Department’s existing forestry policy goals. As the acting consultative group, submissions were therefore requested from FSCC members to help improve the performance of our forestry schemes for the remainder of the Programme term. Submissions from members of the public or other external stakeholders were not accepted during this process, due to the specific focus of this review.
I am pleased to have recently published the results of this Mid-Term Review. The actions arising from this consist of a comprehensive package of financial and administrative measures, which I am confident will help to continue support this important sector.
These actions were screened for the possibility of potential impacts on the environment, including a period of consultation with prescribed statutory authorities. My Department has determined that these actions will not give rise to likely significant effects on the environment.
The Mid-Term Review fully aligns with the existing Strategic Environmental Objectives outlined in the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan (FSIP), which includes the Forestry Programme 2023-2027. It does not have the potential to introduce new sources of environmental impact or to change the level of ambition associated with my Department’s existing policy objectives.
Any actions outside of this remit would in most cases also necessitate a new State Aid Decision from the European Commission. Due to the lengthy and complex nature of this process, any FSCC submissions which fell outside of this scope will instead be considered during the development of the next Forestry Programme iteration. As the Mid-Term Review has been completed, this work now will begin in earnest and involve engagement with a broad range of stakeholders and a public consultation.
Further details, including FSCC membership, related submissions and independent screening reports are published on my Department’s website.
