Paul Murphy
Ceist:99. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the impact of Sitka spruce plantations on biodiversity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35799/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 14 May 2026
Ceisteanna (99)
Freagraí scríofa
The forestry application process applied by my Department provides a comprehensive legislative and regulatory platform for assessing applications for licences in relation to regulated forestry activities.
A central focus throughout is ensuring that each project, whether it includes commercial species or only species just planted for nature, is compatible with the protection of water, biodiversity, archaeology and the landscape, and that it complies with all relevant national and EU legislation.
Sitka spruce is the main commercial tree species in Ireland. There are a number of reasons for this. It performs well on a large range of soil types, it has a very high timber yield and its timber is suitable for construction, pallets, fencing and pulp.
Sitka spruce trees provide sheltered habitats for a variety of bird species, such as crossbills, goldcrests and siskins. Various small mammals such as shrews, wood mice and squirrels also inhabit these forests. Meanwhile, deadwood in the form of heavier branches, stumps and sections left on the forest floor for this very purpose, support fungi, insects and other invertebrates.
Regarding other ecosystem services, rainfall is intercepted by the conifer canopy, thereby reducing surface runoff (and soil erosion) and allowing water to gradually soak into the soil. This helps to regulate the flow of water during periods of high rainfall, and controls soil erosion.
All of these ecosystem services are further enhanced in newly planted forests of Sitka spruce, which must include setbacks alongside watercourses, archaeological features, public roads and other environmental receptors. Long periods of inactivity on these sites in general, ensure that such forests protect and enhance water quality.
In the past, some Sitka spruce forests were planted on deep peat soils. This is no longer the case. Today, no new Sitka spruce forest can be planted on deep peat soils and as part of the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan there is a specific action addressing these legacy Sitka spruce forests and there is work ongoing between my Department, Coillte and the NPWS to examine and implement redesign and habitat restoration measures for forests on peatlands based on the best available science.
One of the objectives of the current Forestry Programme is to plant at least 50% broadleaf species. This is currently being achieved. Additionally, all newly planted forests, include mixed coniferous high forest, require a minimum per-application broadleaved species component of 20% by area.