Construction costs rise as forest industry warns of irreparable damage due to timber shortage

'Jobs have been lost and companies are in danger'

The forest industry says 1m tonnes of timber is held up as appeals by members of the public against 500 felling licences are dealt with. A further 2,000 applications await approval by the Department of Agriculture, which can take up to two years.

Irreparable damage is being caused to the forestry sector, and there will be no timber industry left in Ireland by the middle of next year, unless the new regime for forestry licensing is changed, said representatives of Forest Industries Ireland last week.

Meanwhile, the Irish Timber Frame Manufacturers’ Association has said the licencing issues have added to a perfect storm of supply pressures hitting the construction timber market.