The government has been called on to bring in assistance from abroad in order to harvest downed trees in forest plantations around the country that were damaged by Storm Éowyn.

The new Forest Windblow Taskforce is set to meet again today to continue to address the fallout from the storm and the impact on forestry around the country.

The taskforce was convened by Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine Martin Heydon, and Minister of State with responsibility for forestry Michael Healy-Rae.

The taskforce established by Minister Michael Healy-Rae in the aftermath of #StormEowyn will meet again tomorrow. Farm Forestry Chair Padraig Stapleton has a number of issues to raise on behalf of farm foresters. pic.twitter.com/BNHRXIUIMc— Irish Farmers' Association (@IFAmedia) February 10, 2025

Ahead of that meeting, Padraig Stapleton, the forestry chairperson with the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has outlined a set of requests for the ministers.

Stapleton said: "I am once again, and ahead of [the] taskforce meeting, calling on the [government] to reassure those with their forests that have suffered severe damage that there will be funding available for felling and, later on down the road, that there would be funds there to reconstitute those damaged forests.

"I am also asking the minister to declare an emergency which would allow him to go to Europe to draw down funds," Stapleton added (he did not specify which minister he was referring to, although it was likely Minister Heydon).

He also urged the minister use the options open to him to allow the felling of damaged trees that have not got a licence at present.

Stapleton went on to raise the issue of timber imports.

"I am also looking for the minister to immediately step in and control the supply of timber onto the market. This disaster is going to be compounded by an over supply of timber into the market," he said.

Also, we need international help to be able to get in and harvest this crop immediately and get it out to the side of the road.

The group of stakeholders representing forest owners, forestry companies, Teagasc, and Coillte will plan around the prioritisation of felling licences in respect of storm damage, and examine issues that arise in relation to the harvesting, haulage, and sawmilling of the blown trees.

Speaking after the first meeting on February 4, Minister Healy-Rae said: "The discussions at the taskforce meeting were wide ranging, and included the potential for accelerating the licensing process; capacity in the sector to harvest this material; and the markets for this timber.

“I look forward to continuing the work with members when we meet again...to address the damage, and to offer advice and help to forest owners in a practical manner," he added.