Vol. 535 No. 1
145 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the woodland grants scheme which provides grant aid for the establishment of short rotation coppice in Northern Ireland; his views on such a scheme; if he has any plans to introduce a similar scheme here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12342/01]
I am aware of the grants scheme in Northern Ireland which provides aid for the establishment of short rotation coppice. My Department has received two short rotation coppiced willow pilot projects proposals. I have recently approved one of these projects, which involves the establishment of a 50 hectare demonstration area of short rotation coppiced willow. A decision on the second application will be made on receipt of further information from the promoters of the project. By their nature, such projects conform to the principles of sustainable forest management through the use of renewable resources for electricity production and to the objectives outlined in Ireland's national greenhouse gas abatement strategy.
