Forestry Licence Application (Ireland)

A Forestry Licence Application in Ireland makes a formal application or declaration to the relevant authority and sets out the particulars it requires to decide or record the matter, and takes its legal force from the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Under Section 14 of the Forestry Act 2014, it is an offence to fell or otherwise remove a tree or trees without first obtaining a Felling Licence from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, except where one of the statutory exemptions applies (such as trees in domestic gardens, trees immediately endangering persons or property, or trees subject to planning permission). Under Section 13 of the Forestry Act 2014, all afforestation projects on land exceeding 0.10 hectares require prior written approval (Technical Approval) from DAFM before planting commences. These requirements confirm that all significant forestry operations in Ireland are subject to appropriate environmental assessment, public consultation, and regulatory oversight.

The Forestry Act 2014 introduced a efficient single-licence process for tree felling, replacing the earlier two-stage procedure and providing a statutory timeframe of 12 weeks for DAFM to decide on Felling Licence applications (extendable where public consultation or environmental assessment is required). The Forestry Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 191 of 2017), made under the Forestry Act 2014, set out the detailed procedural requirements for licence applications, including the information to be submitted, the public consultation process, and the appeal mechanisms. The Forestry (Amendment) Act 2020 further amended the procedural framework to address systemic delays that had accumulated in the licence processing pipeline.

Ireland has a stated national target to increase forest cover from approximately 11% to 18% of land area by 2050, as set out in the Forest Policy: A Tree for Every Family (2022) and reflected in the Forestry Programme 2023–2027. The Forestry Programme provides grants and annual premiums for new afforestation, forest road development, and other forestry activities, funded jointly by the Irish State and the EU under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027 and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Applications for forestry grants and licences must be submitted through registered Foresters acting as agents for the landowner. DAFM publishes the current forestry application forms, guidance documents, and licence register at gov.ie/forestry.

Environmental assessment obligations — including Appropriate Assessment under the EU Habitats Directive (S.I. No. 477 of 2011) and Environmental Impact Assessment under the EIA Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 488 of 2019) — apply to many forestry licence applications, reflecting the potential impacts of large-scale afforestation and felling on biodiversity, water quality, and landscape character. Third parties including environmental NGOs, neighbouring landowners, and prescribed bodies have the right to make submissions on forestry licence applications during the public consultation period.

A Forestry Licence Application is needed whenever a landowner or forest manager in Ireland intends to carry out commercial or large-scale tree felling, thinning, or new afforestation and the operation does not fall within one of the limited statutory exemptions under the Forestry Act 2014.

A Felling Licence is needed before any commercial harvesting of plantation timber. When a conifer plantation reaches maturity — typically 35–45 years for Sitka Spruce — the forest owner must apply for and receive a Felling Licence before the clear-fell harvest can proceed. The licence application should be submitted several months before the intended felling date, as DAFM advises that the statutory 12-week decision period may be extended where environmental assessment or public consultation is required. For thinning operations — the selective removal of trees to improve the growth of the remaining stand — a Felling Licence is also required, and the application should confirm the thinning prescription and replanting intentions.

An Afforestation Licence (Technical Approval) is needed before any new planting on unforested land exceeding 0.10 hectares. Landowners wishing to convert farmland, cutaway bogland, or other land to forestry must obtain Technical Approval from DAFM before commencing planting. For grant-aided afforestation under the Forestry Programme 2023–2027, Financial Approval must also be obtained before planting. Applications must be prepared and submitted by a registered Forester acting as the applicant's agent.

The application is needed when applying for forestry grants under the Forestry Programme 2023–2027, as grant approval is integrated with the licence process for afforestation projects. The Forestry Programme provides establishment grants (ranging from €2,000 to over €6,000 per hectare depending on species) and annual premiums (payable over 20 years for farmers and 15 years for non-farmers) that provide a significant income stream for Irish landowners establishing new forests.

A Felling Licence is also needed in the context of farm succession and land transactions. Where forestry land is being sold or transferred, the purchaser or successor will need to confirm the existing licence status of the forest and may need to apply for licence amendments or new licences to implement their planned management programme. The Forestry Register published by DAFM at gov.ie allows any person to view the details of licence applications and decisions for specific land parcels. Teagasc's forestry advisory service provides guidance to farmers considering afforestation as a land use diversification option.

A thorough Forestry Licence Application to DAFM must contain the following key elements as required by the Forestry Act 2014 and the Forestry Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 191 of 2017).

Applicant details: Full name, address, and contact details of the applicant (landowner). Where a registered Forester is acting as agent, their name, registration number with the Society of Irish Foresters (SIF) or other recognised body, and contact details.

Land identification: The land parcel(s) subject to the application identified by townland, county, Land Registry folio number, Ordnance Survey map reference, and area in hectares. A site location map (typically Ordnance Survey Discovery Series 1:50,000) and a detailed site map (at least 1:10,000 scale) showing the area to be felled or planted.

For Felling Licence applications: Species to be felled, estimated timber volume (in tonnes or cubic metres), proposed felling method (clear-fell, selective felling, or thinning), replanting proposals (species, stocking density, and timeline), and any proposed forest road works.

For Afforestation Licence applications: Proposed species mix (with percentages of conifers, broadleaves, and native species), total planting area, stocking density (trees per hectare), proposed deer fencing requirements, drainage proposals, buffer zones to watercourses, and grant scheme applied for under the Forestry Programme 2023–2027.

Environmental assessment: Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening form required for all applications potentially affecting Natura 2000 sites, as required by S.I. No. 477 of 2011. Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) for afforestation above EIA thresholds under S.I. No. 488 of 2019.

Water quality details: Description of watercourses, wetlands, and water body designations within or adjacent to the site, and proposed forestry water quality protection measures in compliance with DAFM's Forestry and Water Guidance.

Application fee: €20 per licence application as introduced by the Forestry (Amendment) Regulations 2020 from 7 October 2020, payable to DAFM at the time of submission.

Declaration: Signed declaration by the applicant (and agent where applicable) confirming the accuracy of the information provided and consent to the public consultation process under the Forestry Regulations 2017. The forms-legal.com Forestry Licence Application (Ireland) template covers the mandatory elements under Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Additional compliance elements for a Forestry Licence Application (Ireland) used in Ireland include: Data Protection — the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR Article 6 require a lawful basis for processing personal data; Governing Law — specify Irish law and the jurisdiction of Irish courts; Dispute Resolution — parties may refer disputes to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) for employment matters or initiate proceedings in the Circuit Court or High Court of Ireland for civil claims. Under the Freedom of Information Act 2014, public bodies must respond within 20 working days. Section 13 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 governs access requests. The Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR Article 15 provide complementary access rights. The Office of the Information Commissioner reviews FOI decisions on appeal. Revenue Commissioners and the Companies Registration Office (CRO) handle government compliance obligations. Revenue Commissioners require appropriate tax treatment of payments made under the agreement, including VAT under the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 where applicable.