Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
756. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a specific assessment, review, risk analysis or research has been undertaken since 2020 regarding the economic, biodiversity, climate resilience, storm resilience or forest health risks associated with the concentration of Sitka spruce within the State forestry estate; and if he will provide the title, date and author of each such assessment. [45879/26]
View answer757. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proportion of the State forestry estate comprised of Sitka spruce in each of the years from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form; the projected proportion in 2030, 2040 and 2050 under current forestry plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45880/26]
View answer758. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether any scenario modelling, stress testing or contingency planning has been undertaken regarding the potential impact of a major pest outbreak, disease event, storm event or climate-related disruption affecting Sitka spruce within the State forestry estate; whether the economic, timber supply, biodiversity and carbon sequestration implications of such scenarios have been assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45881/26]
View answer759. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares within the State forestry estate comprised of mixed-species forestry stands, by species composition bands of less than 25%, 25% to 50%, 50% to 75%, and greater than 75% dominance by a single species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45882/26]
View answer760. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether an assessment has been undertaken of the storm, pest, disease or climate resilience risks associated with the 141,000 hectares of the State forestry estate in which Sitka spruce represents greater than 95% of total tree composition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45883/26]
View answer761. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether Coillte has established a target, objective or projected timeline for reducing the area of the State forestry estate in which a single species represents more than 90% of total tree composition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45884/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 756 to 761, inclusive, together. Coillte was established as a commercial state company with private limited status under the Forestry Act, 1988, to become custodian and manager of the national forest estate and is currently managing 440,000 hectares of land (7% of the total area of Ireland). The day-to-day operations, such as the management of their forests, are a matter for the company.
I therefore have asked Coillte to respond directly to the Deputy on the matters raised.
