Minister Healy-Rae and Windblow Taskforce agree next steps on action plan

“I welcome the progress made following the recent workshop involving Taskforce members, as well as agreement on the next steps in the action plan, which is being used as a guide in tackling the harvesting, silvicultural, training, supply chain and marketing challenges posed by the catastrophic Storm Éowyn event that occurred on 24 January 2025, and resulted in record breaking levels of windblow to Irish forests.”

“I very much welcome how proactive the sector has been in tackling the various issues. The harvesting capacity on the island is being increased as machines are being brought into the country to help in the harvesting effort. I also welcome the fact that the harvesting capacity is now mostly involved in areas where there is wind damage. There have been great efforts made to seek new and expanded export markets for both round logs and finished sawn timber, and the sawmills here have confirmed their ability to increase capacity. Teagasc and others have also been very proactive in engaging with landowners, and I have attended many of these events.”

"I fully realise that we still have a lot to do. For example, capacity in the haulage sector, and in particular with the current shortage of drivers, is a big issue that we are working to address.”

Notes