Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2004
73 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to review the system for tree felling licences in urban areas, particularly the complication of the multi-agency involvement of the Garda, the local planning authority and his Department. [14907/04]
View answerIn accordance with the Forestry Act, 1946, felling licences are not required for the felling of trees in urban areas defined under the Act as being within city, borough or town boundaries. No review of this subject is planned at present.
74 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the need for tree felling licences has led to the practice of existing mature trees being left off drawings, hence evading planning control, and consequently resulting in the destruction of aesthetic and environmental capital; and if he has plans to ensure the prosecution of offenders and monitoring of these abuses. [14908/04]
View answerI am not aware of the practice described by the Deputy. In cases of infringement of the Forestry Act 1946 as for example with alleged illegal felling, my Department's policy, as in the past, is to investigate with a view to prosecution. Documentation submitted in support of planning applications is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant planning authority.
