Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
793. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in place to ensure that the Department’s public land afforestation initiative involving 33 public bodies and 338 hectares does not result in the loss of productive agricultural land or compete directly with the needs of active farmers for grazing or tillage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36932/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is leading a Planting on Public Lands initiative as part of the implementation of the Forestry Programme 2023–2027. The initiative supports public bodies in identifying suitable lands for planting, navigating technical and regulatory requirements, and aligning projects with appropriate forestry schemes.
Forest Type 3, Planting on Public Lands, is an afforestation schemes established to specifically help Government department, local authorities, semi-states, state agencies and public bodies to establish new forests on public land at zero capital cost, while contributing to climate action, biodiversity and recreation goals.
It is important to emphasise that afforestation is a voluntary land-use choice for all land owners, and in the case of public organisations they decide which of their lands are appropriate to plant. The initiative does not displace productive agricultural activity or compete with the grazing and tillage needs of farmers. The focus of this initiative is to identify suitable and underutilised lands where planting can deliver environmental and social benefits alongside existing agricultural land uses.
