Liz O'Donnell
Question:8 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the guidelines, if any, he will introduce for planting of trees under the various forestry schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3512/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Development.
My Department is preparing a new set of guidelines covering all aspects of planting which will be available to any person who wishes to plant.
Environmental guidelines on forestry development in relation to landscape, fisheries and archaeology are already in place. Compliance with these guidelines is a condition of grant aid. In addition, forestry contracting companies who undertake planting on behalf of farmers and who participate in the Department's assessment scheme have been issued with a detailed set of technical guidelines which also must be observed as a condition of grant payment. The forestry inspectorate is responsible for auditing and quality control in relation to the forestry activities of such companies which involve a high level of spot checking. For other applicants my Department provides a free technical advisory service.
Do the guidelines lay down a requirement in regard to the percentage of broadleaf tree planting that must be included in afforestation that is to be grant approved?
Deputy O'Donnell's question refers to the role of the planners. Because there was such a large number of cases the Department laid down guidelines for establishing the operation of those to whom Deputy Byrne referred in the context of REPS scheme for forestry. The question refers to the technical guidelines. Species mix is a separate matter which I will be happy to deal with if a question is tabled. In the context of the review, we are talking about a target of 20 per cent for broadleaves.
The question refers to guidelines for planting trees under the various forestry schemes. Surely controlling the number of broad leaves to be planted should form an important part of the guidelines. The reference to 20 per cent is up in the air because the target has been 10 per cent and the State forestry company has not achieved that level of planting. Will the Minister agree that sets a bad example for private afforestation? If the State does not achieve its own target how can it expect private individuals to comply with that level of broadleaf planting given that the return is long term compared to evergreen planting?
The Deputy can take my point of view on this from my reply and the figures I mentioned.
The Minister stated that a number of spot checks have been carried out. How many were carried out in the last two years? How many people were in default and refused payment?
I do not have that information but if the Deputy puts down a written question I will be happy to give it to him. We are preparing new guidelines which will be available to everyone.
In his reply the Minister stated quite a number of spot checks have been carried out. Is "quite a number" one or 10,000?
Somewhere in between.
Why is the Minister not honest and say he does not know?
We need another Minister of State.
I was not being dishonest.
The Minister seems to be poorly briefed.
Have no fears, I have been well briefed on the next question.