Press release
Minister Pippa Hackett hosts first meeting of newly formed Forestry Policy Group
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has this afternoon chaired the first meeting of a newly formed Forestry Policy Group.
Speaking after the session, which was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, Minister Hackett said:
“The 2020 Programme for Government sets out an ambitious agenda for Irish Forestry, and if we are to deliver on it, we must share perspectives, trust each other, and work together. I have established this new group to facilitate that process, and I am happy to say that after our first meeting, despite the major challenges faced by many in the sector, I am greatly encouraged by the determination of all to build a consensus on what Forestry in Ireland should, and will, look like in the future.
The new group is made up of members from a wide range of organisations from the forestry sector, as well as environmental NGOs, and representatives of communities and farmers. In addition, a range of relevant State bodies are also participating in the group.”
The agenda for today’s first meeting included presentations on the history and implementation of the current Forestry Programme, and there was an opportunities for each individual member to share their vision for forestry, as well as their perspectives on how the group should work, and what the group’s terms of reference should be. Participants also got a preview of the new Forestry Licence Viewer – the first phase of which will be launched next Tuesday 1st December.
There was also a presentation from Jo O’Hara, a forestry expert who has been appointed to advise the Minister on the implementation of the Mackinnon Report. Speaking to the group Ms O’Hara acknowledged that the situation was challenging, but said she was looking forward to working with the stakeholders to review, and put into action, the recommendations in the Mackinnon Report. Ms O’Hara has experience on what can be achieved through sharing expertise, and working together.
The Minister expressed her satisfaction at the way the process had begun:
“This was a good and productive first meeting. Of course, I am acutely aware of the current crisis in Forestry licencing and of the significant and detrimental impact it is having on this sector. I want to assure all that my Department is continuing to work hard to resolve these issues. However, to build a model which will deliver for the future and which will work for all, we must engage with each other, trust each other, and listen to each other. I believe that we have started that process today, and I want to express my deep appreciation to all those who attended and engaged so openly and generously.”
Note for Editors :
The membership of the Forestry Policy Group is as follows:
| Organisation | Nominee | ||
| NPWS | Jenni Roche | ||
| EPA | Bernard Hyde | ||
| Teagasc | Nuala Ni Fhlatharta | ||
| Forest Industries Ireland | Mark McAuley | ||
| Balcas | Brian Murphy | ||
| Glenmore Forestry Services | Peter O'Brien | ||
| Western Forestry Co-operative Society Ltd. | Marina Conway | ||
| Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland | Michael Moroney | ||
| IFA | Vincent Nally | ||
| Coillte | Mark Carlin | ||
| Association of Irish Forestry Consultants | Dermot Houlihan | ||
| Agricultural Consultants Association | Tom Canning | ||
| Irish Timber Growers Association | Donal Whelan | ||
| Pro Silva | Paddy Purser | ||
| None So Hardy Nurseries | Teige Ryan | ||
| Environmental Pillar | Andrew St Ledger | ||
| An Taisce | Elaine McGoff | ||
| SWAN | Mark Boyden | ||
| Irish Wildlfe Trust | Pádraic Fogarty | ||
| Birdwatch Ireland | Oonagh Duggan | ||
| Woodlands of Ireland | Joe Gowran | ||
| Irish Rural Link | Sinéad Dooley | ||
| COFORD | Dr. Eugene Hendrick |
Jo O’Hara was formerly Chief Executive of Scottish Forestry, a Forestry Commissioner and Head of Forestry Commission Scotland and is currently working as a consultant and non-executive Director. She was appointed by Minister Hackett to oversee the finalisation of the Mackinnon Implementation Plan
The Mackinnon report is published on the Department’s website at: https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/publications/2019/ReviewApprovalProcessesforAfforestationIrelandMackinnonNovember2019291119.pdf
ENDS