Forestry Industry.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 June 2004

Tuesday, 1 June 2004

Questions (101)

John Gormley

Question:

120 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the rights and obligations of the felling licence at Derrybrien, issued to Coillte in May 2003, have now transferred to Saorgus Energy, which is the current landowner as of June 2003; the public tender process by which the sale of the public land in question took place; the price the State, through Coillte, received for that land; and if he will request the forest service to reopen the licence process, and ensure that the legal requirements as regards the EIS are properly and completely fulfilled, including a proper public consultation process. [16177/04]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

In accordance with the Forestry Act 1946, the authority conferred by a felling licence shall be exercisable by the licensee and his successors in title to the land to which the licence relates. A replanting condition can relate to land, other than felled area, owned by the licensee at the date of grant of limited felling licence. In the case of felling licence referred to, the licensee is Coillte Teoranta and the replanting condition on the licence is binding on that company.

Coillte Teoranta is a private commercial company and day-to-day operations including land sales are a matter for the company. I am satisfied that the company is conducting its business in accordance with the code of practice for the governance of State bodies. With respect to the EIS, local authorities, in this case Galway County Council, are the planning authorities in respect of deforestation.