Vol. 529 No. 1
208 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if the application of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo for forestry premium for an area has been approved; if any objections were received to this proposed planting; if the objections were examined; and if he corresponded with the objectors to let them know of the final decision in this case. [2062/01]
An application for grant aid for afforestation was approved on 4 January 2001 in respect of the area in question. The views of a number of people in the locality who had objected to the proposed afforestation were taken into consideration before the decision to approve the application was taken.
The site was also inspected on two occasions by the regional forest service inspector who was satisfied that the proposal complied fully with the relevant provisions relating to forestry developments. A letter advising of the final decision on this application issued earlier this month to the contact person for the people in the locality who had raised objections.
Questions Nos. 209 and 210 answered with Question No. 189.
211 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if maintenance amounts under the CAP afforestation scheme, which includes 13.5% extra as approved by the EU, can be paid directly to the applicant rather than to the planting company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2442/01]
Afforestation and maintenance grants are only paid to a planting company where a legally binding mandate to that effect has been signed by both the landowner and company in question. My Department could not make payments directly to that landowner in those circumstances, unless the mandate had been set aside by mutual agreement between the parties.
