Felling Licences Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2014

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Questions (204)

Michael McNamara

Question:

204. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will initiate prosecutions against the National Roads Authority for felling trees adjacent to the N7 in counties Laois and Kildare prior to 20 October 2014 without having obtained licences for tree felling contrary to the Forestry Act 1946 and without having benefited from any exemption in law from the requirement to obtain such a licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48953/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As I stated in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 399 on 4 November 2014, felling licences were not granted by my Department to the National Roads Authority (NRA) for tree felling along the N7 in Counties Laois and Kildare. Under the Roads Act, 1993 (as amended by the Roads Act, 2007) the NRA is not obliged to obtain a felling licence under the Forestry Act, 1946, where it is responsible for felling trees in the course of performing its functions under the Roads Act.