For a country that is the least wooded in the EU, it is hard to believe that Ireland was once cloaked in woodland.

Ray Ryan reports on efforts to plan ahead for the risk of forest fires, which have caused huge damage to Irish woodlands in recent years.

Sinn Féin’s Liadh Ní Riada has written to the ESB requesting a meeting to discuss management plans for the ecological woodland treasure, the Gearagh.

People who traditionally start their seasonal recreational visits to the country’s woods today, Easter Monday, are being reminded about the risk of forest fires and the need for care.

I WENT down to my little wood the other day to check up on the progress of spring. It was sunny and the birds were singing but the ground felt cold and some things were behind schedule.