Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
920. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares within the State forestry estate in which Sitka spruce represents greater than 75%, 90% and 95% respectively of total tree composition. [39802/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra922. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proportion of annual new planting undertaken by Coillte comprised predominantly Sitka spruce in each year from 2015 to 2026. [39804/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra923. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether any climate resilience or disease-vulnerability assessments have been undertaken regarding the concentration of Sitka spruce within the State forestry estate; and if he will provide details of any such assessments. [39805/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra924. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether any targets exist to reduce reliance on Sitka spruce planting within publicly owned forestry lands over the next decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39806/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra925. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether Coillte maintains GIS or digital mapping identifying mixed-species forestry stands within the State forestry estate; and whether such information is publicly accessible. [39807/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra926. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether any independent ecological assessment has been undertaken comparing biodiversity outcomes between predominantly Sitka spruce plantations and mixed-native woodland systems on State-owned forestry lands. [39808/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra927. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has assessed the long-term economic, biodiversity and storm-resilience implications of continued reliance on Sitka spruce as the dominant commercial forestry species within the State forestry estate. [39809/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 920, 922, 923, 924, 925, 926 and 927 together.
The National Forest Inventory (NFI) is a survey carried out every 5 years over the entire national forest estate which collects details on tree species composition. In the most recent NFI, 2022, there were 2,020 sample plots, each representing approximately 400 hectares.
The NFI includes a comprehensive national ecological assessment of biodiversity within plantation forestry. All tree species are included in the assessments.
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.
Coillte's Strategic Vision sets out its ambitions to deliver the multiple benefits of forests for climate action, biodiversity and recreation, while continuing to deliver for the forest and wood product industry.
A guiding principle of this ambition is to increase the area of its forest estate being managed for nature from 20% to 50%. As of 2025 Coillte achieved its ambition to manage 30% of its estate primarily for nature and biodiversity.
I have asked Coillte to respond directly to the Deputy on the matters raised, such as independent ecological assessments, GIS or digital mapping, Sitka Spruce planting targets, and climate resilience and disease-vulnerability assessments.
