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Timber Supply

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020

Tuesday, 15 September 2020

Questions (140)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

140. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the urgent steps he is taking to avert a raw material supply crisis of logs in the timber industry and looming layoffs for harvesters, hauliers, timber mill staff and myriad others who depend on this resource-based industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23964/20]

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Written answers

I am acutely aware of the challenges which the forestry sector is experiencing in reent times its, not least the ongoing difficulties with issuing licences for afforestation, roads and felling. I am acutely aware of these issues. The delays in issuing licences, including felling licences, originate from recent case law from the ECJ and  the High Court that have changed how the Department implements environmental law. The clarifications brought about by these cases have resulted in the Department introducing a revised Appropriate Assessment Procedure for forestry licensing.

These changes in process are very significant, but unavoidable, and have led to delays in the issue of licences, as most files now require 2nd stage Appropriate Assessment.  The delay in issuing licences is not the only delaying factor as there is also a third-party right of appeal on any licence granted. There are approximately 350 cases currently on the books of the Forestry Appeals Committee with this number growing.  

My Department is doing everything it can to address this backlog including significant investment in resources such as the recruitment of new ecologists and forestry inspectors.  My immediate priority is to reform the legislation underpinning the forestry appeals system and align it with best practice in other licencing and appeals processes. I published a detailed Bill on this last month and my Department is currently working through the submissions received as part of the public consultation.  

The Government is committed to progressing this Bill as quickly as possible, and you can expect to see significant progress in the coming weeks. My Department will also be assigning additonal resources to the Agriculture Appeals Office to assist with the increased workload of the Forestry Appeals Committee.

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