Alternative Energy Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2004

Tuesday, 11 May 2004

Questions (83, 84)

John Gormley

Question:

114 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 75 of 15 April 2003 concerning the Derrybrien wind farm, the reason his Department subsequently issued a felling licence to Coillte on 20 May 2003, to fell 263 hectares of conifer type trees, with an obligation to replant 119 hectares at least in part in Christmas tree plots; and the further reason his Department accepted an environmental impact statement which was prepared up to six years earlier, in two separate stages, before many changes to the project had taken place which did not deal at all with the environmental impact of felling the trees and never mentioned the need for replanting. [13441/04]

John Gormley

Question:

115 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the public process which took place for the issuing of a tree felling licence (details supplied) at Derrybrien to complete the requirements of the environmental impact assessment; his views on whether, in cases in which such felling gives rise to a large amount of replanting above the 70 hectare limit, albeit spread over several dispersed plots, this should form part of the environmental impact assessment; and if the licence has been re-assigned to the project developer who claims to be the current land owner. [13442/04]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 115 together.

The felling licence referred to was issued in accordance with section 37 of the Forestry Act 1946 following the lodging of a felling notice at the local Garda station. Its issue was in line with revised arrangements for the consideration of felling licence applications in respect of the proposed construction of wind farms on forestry sites, as outlined in Parliamentary Question No. 75 of 15 April 2003. Following a request for clarification as to ownership of the site, the licence was issued to Coillte Teoranta as landowners.

The environmental impact statement referred to was submitted in connection with the application for planning permission which was granted by An Bord Pleanála on the 12 October 1998. It was sent to the Forest Service for information purposes. Local authorities are the planning authorities in respect of deforestation. In line with normal consultation procedures for applications for felling licences, the felling notice was lodged at the local Garda station and the local authority was acquainted by the Forest Service as to the proposed felling.

Under section 41(7) of the Forestry Act 1946, replanting conditions attached to felling licences are binding on the licensee and on each of its successors in title to the land specified in such replanting condition. The felling licence has not been subsequently re-assigned.