Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 September 2014
227. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a licence was issued for Gougane Barra extraneous clear-felling for the mature Sitka spruce, lodgepole pine and western hemlock, which Coillte claimed were damaged by the storm in February 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35353/14]
View answerA general felling licence GFL CK27WB01 issued to Coillte in respect of clearfelling 4.9 hectares at Coomroe, Co. Cork, due to storm damage. The species licensed were Sitka Spruce, Lodgepole Pine (Northern Coastal), Birch and Japanese Larch. The application was referred to both Cork County Council and National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) for their observations, prior to approval by the forestry inspector.
NPWS had no comments or observations regarding the proposed felling. Cork County Council asked that the contractor should contact the Council prior to commencement of works, to agree a designated haulage route, thereby ensuring that the condition of the roads network accessing the site is not compromised during operations.
