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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 2

Written Answers. - Forestry Development.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

42 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Energy if, in the light of the publication of the new primary school education pack Irish Forestry Today, he will outline, (a) the number of oak forests left in Ireland, (b) the steps being taken to protect and preserve those oak forests; and (c) his future policy in regard to oak forests.

While I cannot give the Deputy the exact number of oak forests in Ireland, the number and area of broadleaf forests, including oak, is continually increasing as a result of the attractive grants available from my Department for such planting. It is my intention to continue to actively promote such planting.

My policy in relation to oak forests is to ensure that those which have been established are properly managed and will continue to be in the future, and that increased broadleaf planting will ensure a diversity and range of such forests in the future.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

44 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Energy the present position concerning farmers with land designated in ASI areas regarding qualification for afforestation grants for development of forestry in those areas.

As it is a condition of the forestry grant schemes that all projects must be compatible with the protection of the environment, applications likely to affect Areas of Scientific Interest or ASIs are referred to the Office of Public Works, whose views are taken into account. Boglands listed for conservation by the Office of Public Works as internationally or nationally important are specifically excluded from any grant aid under the terms of the forestry operational programme.

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