Appointment of Niall Collins as Forestry Minister a Welcome Move – IFA

IFA Farm Forestry Chair Padraig Stapleton has welcomed the appointment of Niall Collins TD as the new Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry.

“We look forward to working closely with Minister of State Niall Collins on the wide range of issues in the sector. It is critical that forestry has its own Minister to drive forward on what’s needed. We raised this issue when Michael Healy-Rae resigned last month and it is important that it has been addressed,” he said.

“The appointment of Deputy Collins comes at a critical period. The current Forestry Programme 2023-2027 failed to deliver the Government’s ambitious targets. This is due to successive policy decisions such as restrictions on planting productive land; increasing environmental regulation; rising costs associated with managing small farm forests; unworkable conditions being attached to licences; inadequate compensation for farmers with ash dieback; as well as growing concerns regarding risks to plant health,” outlined Padraig Stapleton.

“The current development work of the next Forestry Programme 2028-2032 must restore confidence and revive farmers’ interest in planting.  A Minister with direct responsibility can help restore farmer confidence in the sector.”