Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 February 2010
630 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if plans are in place to set up planning permission procedures for roads in forestry plantations; when the Forestry Act 1946 will be amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6617/10]
View answerForest road development is exempt from the planning process under Section 4(1)(i) of the Planning and Development Act 2000. However, the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009, which is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas, proposes to amend Section 4(1) of the Act. My Department is in discussions with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding this amendment and the proposed new Forestry Bill which is currently being drafted by the Office of the Attorney General.
