A group of forest owners has organised a public meeting to discuss a number of topics related to the damage caused by Storm Éowyn, including examining the full extent of the damage and the government response.

Irish Forest Owners (IFO) have arranged the meeting, aimed at those who have storm-damaged forests, for February 18 at 7:00p.m, at the Landmark Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim one of the worst hit areas in terms of damaged forests.

The meeting will, the IFO said, provide a platform for forest owners with storm damage to come together, share experiences and explore strategies for recovering and restoring storm-damaged forests.

The meeting aims to support forest owners in navigating the aftermath of the most severe weather event in recent times and ensuring the "long-term health and sustainability of their forests", the group said.

The main topics to be discussed at the meeting include: assessing the government response so far; emergency response and recovery strategies for forest owners; the needs of affected owners; the financial assistance and resources needed; short-term planning to mitigate losses; and preventing "profiteering" in the supply chain at the expense of owners.

The meeting will include discussions of the scale of damage across the country and the needs of forest owners. There will also be networking opportunities to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among participants, the IFO said.

Commenting on the meeting, IFO chairperson Derek McCabe said: "Our forest owners are vital to our environment and economy, and it is crucial that we come together to support those affected by recent storms.

"This meeting is an opportunity for forest owners to gain valuable insights and resources to help them mitigate their losses, and to build resilience for the future," he added.

The IFO are calling for "immediate action" from government on several fronts.

These include: support for farmer forestry owners; a floor on timber prices and the shift from price-per-tonne to price-per-m³; a commitment to make a replanting grant available for all windblown sites; to ensure that felling licences are not a barrier to the clean-up of windblown sites; and that funding support is provided to clear forests of fallen or damaged trees.

The IFO is also seeking specific legislative action from government, including:

A moratorium on granting felling licences or processing of all standing timber until windblown timber is processed;
A fast-tracking of licences on the basis of health and safety risks;
A moratorium on the importation of firewood and biomass until all fallen timber is utilised.