Minister Healy-Rae welcomes significant progress in approving windblow applications
- Published on: 15 August 2025
- Last updated on: 15 August 2025
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Healy-Rae TD, today welcomed the significant progress being made by the Department in approving felling licence applications which have windblow issues.
Minister Healy-Rae said:
“Of the 666 applications for clearfell received, 194 have been approved. 480 of these were fresh applications received post storm damage in 2025. Of those applications which were with my department before the storms hit, 128 of the 186 have already been approved. New clearfell applications with a storm damage element are being approved in around 100 days, less than four months, well within the Farmers' Charter targets.”
The Minister concluded that:
“Those felling applications with windblow issues, that have been notified to my Department, are being prioritised, including those which have been appealed to the Forestry Appeals Committee. I will continue to work with the Department and all stakeholders on the Windblow Taskforce to ensure that progress continues to be made on this issue.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor
- An action plan is currently being worked on by the Taskforce to identify issues, bottlenecks and proposed solutions.
- Wind damage data available from: DAFM Open Data
Currently 65% of the windblown area has a felling licence, with an additional 11% with applications in the system, which are prioritised. Regarding the other 24%, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is now writing to these last remaining 24% to encourage them to submit an application.