Vol. 488 No. 2
102 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 19 February 1998 to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the restriction, if any, on a person (details supplied) who wishes to plant trees on approximately 141 acres of his land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5998/98]
The forest service is required under European law to form a view as to whether a particular proposal for grant aiding afforestation is likely to have an adverse effect on the environment. To assist in this matter, appropriate advice is sought from relevant competent bodies, in the case to which you are referring that body is Dúchas, the heritage service of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
Dúchas was of the opinion that the proposed development would be incompatible with the protection of the environment as the proposed site was located in an exceptionally diverse area of ecological conservation value. In consideration of the views expressed by Dúchas, the then Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food was unable to approve the relevant application and this was conveyed to the applicant in a letter dated 29 May 1996.
The forest service of my Department is obliged to ensure that grants are not given to environmentally damaging forestry projects.
