I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together.
Given the impact of forestry on the landscape, in terms of aesthetics, environment and culture, measures are required that ensure overall positive results and avoidance of damage. For this reason, my Department has published guidelines on forestry and the landscape. I am placing a copy of the guidelines in the Oireachtas library.
The guidelines specifically address forestry on mountainsides and provide recommendations for this and various other forest-development scenarios. The guidelines apply to all grant-aided projects and to all activities associated with a felling licence.
The objective of these guidelines is to ensure a positive relationship between the forest and the character of a given landscape as a whole – in other words, to achieve a balance of land cover.