Vol. 429 No. 4
57 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the policy, if any, he has on the future of the forestry industry in this country; his views on whether certain recent forestry developments have been uncontrolled and have in cases infringed on the rights of adjoining properties; and that some developments have been environmentally damaging and often represent inappropriate land policy.
98 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the policies, if any, he has on the future of the forestry industry in this country; his views on whether certain recent forestry developments have been uncontrolled and have in cases infringed on the rights of adjoining properties; and that some developments have been environmentally damaging and often represent inappropriate land policy.
102 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the policies, if any, he has on the future of the forestry industry in this country; his views on whether certain recent forestry developments have been uncontrolled and have in cases infringed on the rights of adjoining properties; and that some developments have been environmentally damaging and often represent inappropriate land policy.
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 57, 98 and 102 together.
The Government's policy for the forest sector is outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government. This provides for the expansion of planting to 30,000 hectares per annum, maintaining this to the year 2000 and developing the downstream processing industry.
In relation to the second part of the Deputies' query, forestry development is subject to a number of controls. It is a basic condition of grant-aid under the current programme that forestry development is compatible with the protection of the environment. This is implemented with particular regard to proximity to dwellings and public roads, the landscape, areas of scentific interest, fisheries and archaeological sites. In addition, afforestation of over 20 hectares of conifers is subject to the full environmental impact assessment procedure.
I wish to make it clear that I am anxious to see that in all cases forestry developments are undertaken in an environmentally sensitive way. My Department has put in place measures towards this end. I am not aware that it has been established that forestry measures have infringed on the rights of adjoining properties. In any such case the aggrieved landowner would have right of recourse to legal remedy.
