Vol. 503 No. 6
83 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will report on his recent meeting with the Irish Farmers Association where it proposed that forestry plant ing should not be the subject of an environmental impact statement; his views on the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10875/99]
I met with a delegation from the Irish Farmers Association on Thursday, 15 April to discuss the issue of forestry development and planning control generally, including environmental impact assessment. At present afforestation is exempted from planning control except where an EIA is required. The meeting was held at the request of the IFA and related to the review of the planning code which my Department has carried out. One of the areas covered by the review was an examination of the treatment of certain land uses exempted under the planning acts, including afforestation. My proposals in this regard will be contained in a comprehensive Bill to reform and consolidate planning law which I intend to publish by mid-year.
