Michael Creed
Question:23 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the proposals, if any, he has to establish an independent public inquiry to allay public concerns which result from unplanned forestry. [8043/98]
Written Answers. - Forestry Operational Programme.
I do not see any need to set up an independent public inquiry on the question of unplanned forestry. In this regard I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 255, 257 and 258 dated 28 January 1998. As I stated then, compatibility of forestry development with the environment is the essential element of the Government's afforestation programme. Compliance with the existing forestry guidelines on landscape, fisheries and archaeology as well as a wide range of additional environmental controls is a condition of grant-aid. As there is no evidence of widespread non-grant aided afforestation these controls are sufficient to prevent environmentally destructive afforestation.