• "What can we learn from Sitka spruce about climate adaption?" April 2023 - Analysis: as a species shaped by the last ice age, the Sitka spruce may provide key information about how trees respond to climate change By Susanne Barth, Tomas Byrne, Niall Farrelly, Teagasc https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2023/0417/1377443-sitka-spruce-climate-change-adaptation/

• "Annual planting falls from 8,314ha to 3,366ha in a decade" February 2020 article by Donal Magner https://www.farmersjournal.ie/annual-planting-falls-from-8-314ha-to-3-366ha-in-a-decade-525807

Comment: The forestry sector is uniquely important in this present era but without dedicated ministerial and a marketing/information agency forestry is at a disadvantage compared with other resource industries. Presently this sector doesn't even warrant inclusion in a Departmental title, this despite the fact that it is the only process which converts atmospheric carbon to multiple use products and services. None of the other better supported resource industries (food, fishing, energy, transport and tourism etc.) can claim this. It is a national responsibility that our share of the planets forests which made it habitable 3-400m years ago should be nurtured and used to maximum effect to contribute in protecting it from biological extinction today.

• "Timber is the ultimate renewable resource and forestry is the ultimate carbon sink" - September 2019 Article by Mark McAuley in the Farming Independent http://nonesohardy.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Timber-is-the-ultimate-renewable-resource-Farming-Independent-17-09-2019.jpeg

• Minster Andrew Doyle launches commencement of the forestry planting season - 5 million broadleaf trees to be planted in Ireland this year under National Forestry Programme - November 2018 The launch took place at our nursery in Ballymurn, Co Wexford. https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/…/novem…/title,122054,en.html

• Super Sitka Growing Super Fast - August 2018 Fast growing Sitka Spruce on a small site could lead to a re-think on how quickly forests can be harvested http://www.confor.org.uk/news/latest-news/super-sitka-growing-super-fast/

• Scotland delivers nearly 80% of UK's new tree planting - June 2018 A good news story from Scotland showing how a balanced and highly productive afforestation programme can offer all stakeholders a bright future https://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/news/16303622.scotland-delivers-nearly-80-of-uks-new-tree-planting/