Minister Healy-Rae welcomes significant increase in harvesting of wood from storm affected forests
- Published on: 15 July 2025
- Last updated on: 15 July 2025
Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Michael Healy-Rae TD, has again welcomed the significant increase in harvesting of windblown material in forests affected by Storm Éowyn.
Minister Healy-Rae said:
“The figures we see now from the private sector and from Coillte show that there has been a major step up in harvesting windblow sites over the last few months. Over 90% of the private and Coillte harvesting capacity in the country is now operating in windblow sites. The number of harvesting machines in the country continues to increase and be deployed in the storm affected forests, and much of the machinery is being used on double shifts, which increases the output of each machine.”
The Minister added:
“This significant increase in harvesting capacity is really good news to forest owners with trees on the ground. I would again urge forest owners to seek professional advice from a registered forester or local Teagasc forestry adviser. Forest owners affected by windblow should ensure that they have a good contract and a good timber security system in place.”
The Minister continued:
“A Timber Sales Contract is important to protect the interests of all parties. No timber should leave a forest without a contract in place. Also, it is important to have a Timber Sales Dispatch System for security and accountability regarding the movement of timber from the plantation. A template Tree Sales Agreement and a model Timber Sales Dispatch system is available on the Irish Timber Growers Association website.”
Advice on contracts and timber security systems is available here.