Vol. 431 No. 3
68 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if the Government will consider taking Tomnafinnogue Wood, Coolattin, County Wicklow, into public ownership in view of the continued threats to the wood and its importance as one of Ireland's few remaining oak woods; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The scope of my statutory responsibilies in relation to forestry does not extent to purchasing woodland on conservation, heritage or amenity grounds. I am however fully conscious of the public concern in relation to Tomnafinnogue Wood and, in line with the commitment contained in the Fianna Fáil and Labour Programme for a Partnership Government 1993-1997 to `place particular emphasis on the protection of trees and woodlands, especially the remaining oak forests', I have encouraged contacts between various interested parties. While it is as yet too early to say, I am hopeful that these contacts may enable a formula to be found which will resolve this issue to the satisfaction of all concerned. I think it would be unhelpful if I were to comment further at this stage. In the meantime, none of the trees in the wood has been felled and the conditions attaching to the relevant authorisations granted by the local authority and my own Department would preclude any such felling before November next.
