Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
795. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that the national target of increasing forest cover to 18% by 2050 will not come at the expense of Ireland’s food production capacity or the viability of family farms; the current balance between afforestation and active agricultural land use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36934/26]
View answerIreland’s current forest policy is guided by the Forest Strategy 2023-2030. Its overriding objective is to urgently expand the national forest estate on both public and private land in a manner that will deliver lasting benefits for multiple objectives. This Strategy aims to create the conditions that will lead to a substantial increase in forest cover with an ambition to reach 18% at some point in the future. The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is key to contributing to this ambition and provides for a diverse range of forest types.
Afforestation in Ireland is entirely voluntary and the pace at which 18% forest cover will be achieved will depend on how actively farmers and landowners engage in these demand led afforestation schemes.
Currently, the national forest estate in Ireland has reached 11.6% of the total land area. In line with Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, my Department is committed to an expanded and sustained afforestation. It must be said that increasing afforestation rates will prove to be extremely challenging, but there is little doubt increasing afforestation levels will be required to move towards our climate goals.
Forest creation can provide opportunities for income, employment and enterprise diversification, particularly in rural areas and for family farms. Trees and forests are sometimes considered separate from traditional agricultural activities, but forest creation can be a valuable, integrated element of any farming enterprise. It can complement and contribute to existing farming activities and offers a competitive long term land use option and investment opportunity without impact food production nationally.
