Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Jun 1992

Vol. 421 No. 1

Adjournment Debate. - Energy Matter.

Mr. Roche

I thank the Chair for allowing me to raise this issue. I am absolutely dismayed that Wicklow County Council this week were forced, fearing that they would have to pay compensation, to grant the necessary permission to Bridge Farm Limited to recommence tree felling a Tomnafinnogue Wood in County Wicklow. This is the last remnant of native oak wood in County Wicklow. It is a part of Ireland's national heritage.

The decision follows directly on the decision made by the Minister for Energy and his Department to effectively reverse the actions taken by the Government in 1987, when the Taoiseach intervened to save this woodland. I said at the time that no thinking person could allow the company or their agents to come, equipped with a chainsaw within a five mile radius of an oak tree. However, I fear that this has happened.

I wish to specifically raise the action taken late last night and early this morning in the woods at Tomnafinnogue, requiring the Minister's approval. This morning the tags identifying all mature trees in Tomnafinnogue Wood were removed by a group of people responding to the county council's decision. The action by "Friends of Tomnafinnogue Wood" arises from frustration, but it is intended to make it impossible for Bridge Farm Limited to comply with the felling licence issued by the Department of Energy. The licence stipulates specifically that trees identified by numbered metal tags may be felled during each cycle over the next ten years. With the tags removed from all the trees now the conditions laid down by the licensing authority cannot be adhered to without a new census of trees taking place, without a new licence being obtained and without new planning permission being obtained.

What is the Minister's intention in this matter? What guarantees can the Minister give to the House that the firm who have destroyed the other woodlands at Coolattin and who have so blatantly ignored the previous conditions, will not commence felling, or will not be allowed to fell until such time as appropriate action has been taken by them to re-establish their rights to fell?

I know the Minister is as concerned as I am in this matter. Will the Minister use his good offices to bring Bridge Farm to their senses and will he urge them to sit down with all those concerned to establish a trust on the lines of the Blasket Island Trust to buy out that woodland, to save it?

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

I utterly refute the allegation made by Deputy Roche that Wicklow County Council were forced to make a certain decision because of some action on my part. I suggest that Deputy Roche should familiarise himself with legislation that applies in this area. I do not have responsibility for the preservation of amenities. That is a role given under the Acts of the Oireachtas to the local authority, in this case, Wicklow County Council, who have full powers under the Acts to preserve this wood if that is their desire. I do not have the power under the Forestry Acts to preserve it. My Department's forestry role and responsibilities lie in the commercial area and that is what I am promoting.

I have inquired, however, into the removal of tags which the Deputy states took place yesterday. It has been investigated by the owners of the property today and the owners have confirmed that the tags had been removed. They state that this was not done by the company or its agents and they have requested the Garda to investigate. I understand that they are also taking advice on measures to prevent trespass on their property. I assure the Deputy that the removal of these tags will not interfere unduly with the monitoring of the licence. Such tags are not normally associated with licences and were put in place by the company for their own purposes some years ago. They relate to a register of the trees kept by the company. Removal of the tags at this stage is of no benefit to the company.

As the Deputy is aware, the regeneration plan to which I have agreed is based on a foresty management method known as the group system which has been drawn up by the professional foresters in my Department and is in accord with the best international silviculture practices. It involves cutting selected mature trees in patches, each covering less than half a hectare, and fully replanting the patch which, together with retention of all younger trees, avoids the sudden impact caused by clear felling.

Deputy Roche, the other Deputies for the Wicklow constituency and the then Taoiseach, Deputy Haughey, were kept informed of the position when this plan was being prepared. The patches of trees involved have been separately identified on the ground and have been mapped. These records alone would be sufficient to monitor the felling of the trees under the licence. In addition, my staff have spent considerable time on the site and are very familiar with the requirements.

The preservation of woodlands or individual trees for amenity or landscape purposes is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. These considerations are reflected in conditions attached to the consent issued by Wicklow County Council, of which Deputy Roche is a member. These incidentally also mean that felling will not take place immediately. References to imminent felling of the trees as reported on the radio this morning are inaccurate. Arrangements to ensure compliance with the conditions is a matter for the local authority.

I regard Tomnafinnogue Wood as without doubt a plantation of great interest and outstanding local amenity. I am very familiar with it, having spent a number of hours inspecting it about two years ago, shortly after I was appointed Minister. I again confirm that there is no proposal to clear-fell the wood. There is no question of this oak woodland being under threat, except that caused by continuing neglect and advancing age unless remedial measures are taken. It will in fact be rejuvenated and restocked for the benefits of future generations who will thank us in time for the actions we are taking now which will preserve woodlands at Tomnafinnogue for generations to come.

I again assure the House that my Department will monitor the silvicultural operations closely to ensure that essential felling is undertaken in a most sensitive way. I expect the owners to deliver precisely on the requirements for each stage. If they do not, no further felling will be allowed.

The Dáil adjourned at 9.5 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 11 June 1992.