Funds sought for forestry owners hit by Storm Darwin, in 2014

Minister of State for Agriculture Tom Hayes has said a proposal will be made to the Department of Finance for funds to help forestry owners affected by Storm Darwin.

Mr Hayes was speaking at the official opening of the Marl Bog Wood recreational area in Dundrum, Co Tipperary — where nearly 25% of the 200-acre forestry was badly damaged in Storm Darwin, in February 2014.

Damage from winter storms in 2013/2014 is estimated at less than 1% nationally, but damage was extensive at local level, and worst in the south and midlands, where substantial quantities of timber were blown over.