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Monday 5 June 2023 Dublin: 18°C

# Forestry

Last month
May 2023
# failure to communicate
'Unacceptable' commitment by public bodies when faced with environmental information requests
The Commissioner for Environmental Information has reversed a ‘staggering’ number of environmental information decisions by public bodies.
This year
2023
# forestry strategy
Coillte forestry deal 'not government's preferred option', admits agriculture minister
The deal has come in for strong criticism from politicians, forestry groups and farmers bodies.
# Wood for the trees
Explainer: Why is a deal between Coillte and a British firm so controversial?
Here’s a breakdown explaining the deal, why it’s controversial, and what happens next.
# Forestry
New €1.3 billion forestry strategy labelled a 'scandal' by Irish Wildlife Trust
The proposal will see Coillte partner with Gresham House to bankroll new forests.
Last year
2022
# Afforestation
New scheme will allow landowners to plant one hectare of trees without forestry licence
The new scheme is set to be launched before the end of the year.
Voices
Pippa Hackett: We need to move fast to improve our forestry cover in Ireland
The Minister of State for Agriculture says Ireland is falling in its targets on forestry but the government plans to accelerate progress this year.
THE MORNING LEAD
Special branch: Over 75 cases of alleged illegal tree felling investigated last year
A report by
Niall Sargent
In several cases, trees were cut down in protected nature areas or on land previously sold to private individuals by Coillte.
Several large-scale cases still open, including the felling of 30 hectares of forest, writes Niall Sargent of Noteworthy
Removal of trees to make way for agricultural expansion is a common issue across many cases
In several instances, trees were cut down in protected nature areas or on land previously sold to private individuals by Coillte
All time
# Endangered Species
Rare hen harrier numbers plummet as plan to protect species pushed back
Only 18 pairs of the rare raptor species reared chicks this year in areas designated to protect it – the most unproductive year on record.
# Spruced Up
State warned by EU official in 2017 over eco-credentials of forestry licensing process
Records released to Noteworthy show that the State was warned it is not doing enough to ensure environmental risks from forestry “are a thing of the past”.
# Info hub
Open Access: A citizen’s guide to uncovering housing and local information
Our community-driven platform Noteworthy helps you find out if you are in an area prone to floods, landslides, high radon and more.
# timber trouble
Forestry backlog continues as licences overturned due to biodiversity concerns
Noteworthy analysis reveals serious concerns remain over environmental assessments undertaken by the State prior to granting plantation forestry licences.
# Spruced Up
'David vs Goliath': why individuals are challenging Ireland's forestry licences
We look at thousands of forestry applications and appeal decisions to reveal deep problems in the quality of environmental assessments.
# Spruced Up
Ireland's tree-planting policies are bad news for biodiversity
Analysis reveals licences for conifer plantations still being granted on biodiversity-rich areas and precious peat soils.
Voices
Column: Ireland's forestry industry has hit a blockade - here's a way we can get through it
Ireland needs a new model for forestry that does not damage nature, writes Minister of State for Agriculture Pippa Hackett.
# coillte
Nine forests in Dublin mountains to be upgraded for recreational use
The forests have been managed by Coillte primarily for commercial purposes to date
# Fraud
Two men jailed for inducing dozens to invest in €5.5 million forestry scam
Garret Hevey (43) and David Peile (42) were involved in Arden Forestry Management (Arden FM).
# Forest Industries Ireland
Irish forestry industry to double output by 2035, new association predicts
Forest Industries Ireland has 22 member companies from across the island of Ireland
# Data Breach
Data of hundreds of farmers paid for taking part in government scheme leaked
It comes the same day as the Department announces the approval of a similar scheme for the forestry sector.
Voices
Floundering forests: The challenges facing the Irish forestry industry
It will take 100 years to achieve the government’s target of 18% forestry cover, writes Dermot McNally.
# Health and Safety
Farmers account for most work-related deaths in Ireland
Half of the fatalities last year involved self-employed people.
# damage
Gorse fire which was visible across Dublin put under control last night
Dublin Fire Brigade received over 20 calls reporting the incident.
# bad investment
Two men arrested over €5 million land and forestry fraud
Gardaí said a significant amount of money held in Irish banks has been frozen.
# Bank Branch
Europe is lending Ireland €90 million to grow thousands of trees
Under the investment, more than 35,000 hectares will be replanted.
# dangerous times
It looks like North Korea has executed another senior member of government
Vice-premier Choe Yong-gon has been executed by firing squad according to reports.
# EU summit
Ireland (and our cows) seem happy with a new agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions
EU leaders have agreed to cut emissions by 40 per cent on 1990 levels at a summit in Brussels overnight.
# Grows on Trees
Former Coillte boss got €88,000 for three months' work last year
David Gunning received a total package of €195,000 for 2013 when all payments are taken into account.
# Oireachtas agenda
Health cuts, the banking inquiry, 'sludge'... and everything else happening in Leinster House today
What’s going on in Leinster House? Well, you asked…
# Forestry
Forestry Inventory finds 10.5% of Ireland’s total land area is forest
There has been an increase in the private forestry estate of 4 per cent in the last six years.
# Merger
IMPACT warns Bord na Mona merger would give Coillte a 'weak voice'
The agency is set to merge with Bord na Mona instead of its harvesting rights being sold off.
# sustainbility
Recession pushes Laois communities into action on sustainability
The Leaf project has been working for the last three years to get communities in the county working together on all aspects of sustainable development.
Voices
Column: Upcoming EU timber regulations are two steps behind environmental reality
The chopping, fudging and importing of illegally harvested timber is likely to continue; and a holistic solution to sustainable forestry management is still a long way off, writes Dermot McNally.
# clash of the ash
46 confirmed cases of ash dieback in Ireland
Minister Simon Coveney said he was “pleased” with the progress being made to control the disease.
# Forestry
Irish company lands €800,000 European Space Agency contract
The Cork-based company specialises in technology that improves the efficiency of forestry.
# Forestry
Coillte exports reach 'record number' of countries in 2012
The forestry exported to a record 32 countries last year, including Bahrain, Lebanon, Mexico and South Africa.
# Forestry
Organisation warns of fall in planting of new forests in Ireland
The Irish Forestry and Forest Products Association has said that planting of new forests fell by 20 per cent between 2010 and 2011.
# From the top
Coillte boss under pressure to take pay cut
The Taoiseach singled out David Gunning for criticism in his speech at the Fine Gael Presidential Dinner last night.
# Budget11
No surprise as corporation tax stays static but start-ups scheme extended
Expert believes focusing on employee numbers won’t necessarily make new businesses a success.