Forestry Sector

Tuesday, 22 September 2026

Questions (453, 454, 455)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

453. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected timeframe for Coillte to replant the 14,500 hectares of their forests destroyed by storm Éowyn in January 2025. [66321/26]

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Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

454. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of plants Coillte must replant to replenish the 14,500 hectares of their forests destroyed by storm Éowyn in January 2025. [66320/26]

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Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

455. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Coillte will have enough home-grown nursery stock to replant the 14,500 hectares of their forests destroyed by storm Éowyn in January 2025. [66319/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 453, 454 and 455 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. The company is currently managing 440,000 hectares of land (7% of the total area of the Republic of Ireland), of which approximately 14,500 hectares were damaged by storm Éowyn. The company's day-to-day operations, such as the management of their forests, are entirely a matter for the company.

I have accordingly asked Coillte to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter raised.

Question No. 454 answered with Question No. 453.

Question No. 455 answered with Question No. 453.