Bernard J. Durkan
Question:153 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself as to the adequacy of forestry management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22296/00]
Written Answers. - Afforestation Programme.
Forestry in Ireland is governed primarily by the Forestry Act, 1946. This Act, which is currently being revised, confers significant powers on the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources in relation to forestry. The Act requires that in general, trees cannot be felled without the consent of the Minister and also imposes replanting obligations where appropriate. A licensing system involving site inspections is in place to cover these requirements.
My Department recently launched a number of important publications dealing with forestry management in Ireland.
These are the "Irish National Forest Standard", "The Code of Best Forest Practice – Ireland" and a suite of five guidelines dealing with forestry and the environment. These publications form an important element in this country's programme of sustainable forestry management, SFM.
The "Irish National Forest Standard" outlines the basic criteria and indicators relating to the national implementation of sustainable forestry management. It lists a series of qualitative and quantitative measures by which progress towards SFM can be monitored under Irish forest conditions.
The "Code of Best Forest Practice – Ireland" covers all forestry operations and outlines the manner in which they should be carried out to ensure the implementation of SFM in Ireland.
The five guidelines cover: forestry and water quality; forestry and biodiversity; forestry and archaeology; forestry and the landscape; forest harvesting and the environment.
Compliance with these guidelines is a condition of grant aid. The forest service inspectorate of my Department monitors adherence to the guidelines through site inspections. It is worth noting that virtually all forestry planting in Ireland is grant-aided under the afforestation grants and premium scheme and all payments under the scheme are contingent on compliance with the environmental guidelines.
My Department has also undertaken significant work on the development of a geographical information system called the forest inventory and planning system, FIPS. The purpose of this system is to provide geographical, forest resource and environmental data for management, control and planning purposes.
My Department is also involved in training for the forestry sector and works in conjunction with Coillte Teoranta, Teagasc and Enterprise Ireland in the provision of appropriate training courses for the sector.
As Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, I am also responsible under the 1988 Forestry Act for the corporate governance of Coillte Teoranta. This semi-State company is the largest owner of forestry in Ireland.
I am satisfied therefore, that the implementation in the forest and at national level of the standard, the code and the environmental guidelines, together with effective monitoring and enforcement by the forest service, will ensure that all timber produced in Ireland is derived from sustainably managed forests.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:154 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the current position in regard to the availability of supplies of native timber by species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22297/00]
I estimate that national production of native timber this year will be 15,000 cubic metres, which will be comprised of 14,000 cubic metres of oak, the remainder being ash, birch and other species.
It is my Department's policy to support sourcing, processing and marketing initiatives based on indigenous hardwoods where they address an identified need and can lead to the establishment of viable commercial industries. Research in this area is ongoing in a number of institutions around the country.
Questions Nos. 155 and 156 taken with Question No. 116.