Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Jan 1995

Vol. 448 No. 1

Written Answers. - Forestry Development.

Liam Hyland

Question:

104 Mr. Hyland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry in view of the strategy for the development of forestry initiated by his predecessor and due for publication, if he will ensure that the question of the continuing conflict of interest between land for forestry and the need to maintain the maximum number of family farm holdings is addressed with particular reference to the review of the planning regulations governing forestry development. [1647/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

The Strategic Plan for the Development of the Forestry Sector to which the Deputy refers is being prepared by my Department with the assistance of consultants who were appointed for that purpose. The plan will address the question of forestry visá-vis rural development and will seek to further the objective of ensuring that forestry benefits rural communities.

The review of controls on the scale of forestry development, and in particular the effectiveness of planning controls in this area, which is being undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, is almost completed. Submissions were invited and received from the farming organisations as part of the process. I expect recommendations to be made shortly as to what, if any, adjustments might be made to the current regime.