Written Answers Nos. 902-921
902. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address concerns within the Irish horticulture sector that the decision by Bord na Móna to cease all peat production will make the sector financially unviable and lead to significant job losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4035/21]
View answerMy Department has no involvement in the regulation of Peat extraction, as this is a planning process under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) license process, under the remit of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
On 7th September 2020, my colleague Malcolm Noonan T.D., Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, published a report on the review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry. The review report was prepared by an inter-agency working group following on from the submissions from stakeholders.
After the publication of this report, Minister Noonan proposed the establishment of a working group to consider impacts on the sector. This working group will represent Government Departments, including Agriculture, Food and the Marine, State Agencies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and industry stakeholders. This working group will address the key issues raised in the report itself, including future use of peat by the horticulture sector. The position of Chair for the Independent Working Group was advertised and the closing date for receipt of the applications was 23rd November 2020. Once the Chair is in place, membership of the working group can be established.
In addition to these developments, my Department is actively looking at alternatives to peat and has funded two research projects to date. It has also recently issued the Research Call for 2021. An identified area of research here is to explore alternatives to peat based growing media for horticultural production. These must be available, affordable and sustainable and meet quality as well as environmental requirements
903. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider introducing a package of supports for peat contractors who purchased machinery prior to the announcement of the cessation of all peat harvesting by Bord na Móna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4036/21]
View answer916. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will assist in the provision of compensation to peat harvesting contractors that made significant investments in peat harvesting machinery prior to the sudden and unexpected announcement of the suspension of all peat harvesting for the 2020 season by Bord na Móna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4404/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 903 and 916 together.
My Department has no statutory function in the regulation of peat harvesting or in relation to decisions of Bord na Mona.
904. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific funding streams available to local authorities to apply for; the amount that has been given by county; the amount awarded under each scheme in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4049/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that of information requested is set out in the attached table.
2018
|
County |
Funding Stream |
Amount € |
|
Carlow |
Rural Innovation and Development Fund – Agri Food Tourism |
46,550 |
|
Wicklow |
Neighbourwood Scheme |
113,072 |
|
Clare |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
83,530 |
|
Cork |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
223,306 |
|
Donegal |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
205,701 |
|
Dublin |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
76,313 |
|
Kerry |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
163,276 |
|
Limerick |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
112,500 |
|
Louth |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
1,493 |
|
Mayo |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
173,444 |
|
Sligo |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
146,822 |
|
Waterford |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
182,849 |
|
Wexford |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
202,724 |
|
Wicklow |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
69,399 |
2019
|
County |
Funding Stream |
Amount € |
|
Roscommon |
Rural Water Source Protection project (NFGWS) (grant aid) |
30,000 |
|
Carlow |
Rural Innovation and Development Fund – Agri Food Tourism |
24,302 |
|
Cavan |
Rural Innovation and Development Fund – Agri Food Tourism |
18,200 |
|
Galway |
Rural Innovation and Development Fund – Agri Food Tourism |
25,000 |
|
Laois |
Rural Innovation and Development Fund – Agri Food Tourism |
24,465 |
|
Sligo |
Rural Innovation and Development Fund – Agri Food Tourism |
17,500 |
|
Clare |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
120,906 |
|
Cork |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
142,134 |
|
Donegal |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
172,500 |
|
Dublin |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
63,026 |
|
Galway |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
20,302 |
|
Kerry |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
15,000 |
|
Limerick |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
42,903 |
|
Mayo |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
329,993 |
|
Sligo |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
88,488 |
|
Waterford |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
207,581 |
|
Wexford |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
183,657 |
2020
|
County |
Funding Stream |
Amount € |
|
Carlow |
Rural Innovation and Development Fund – Agri Food Tourism |
12,987 |
|
Cavan |
Rural Innovation and Development Fund – Agri Food Tourism |
12,987 |
|
Galway |
Rural Innovation and Development Fund – Agri Food Tourism |
25,000 |
|
Clare |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
136,857 |
|
Cork |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
298,744 |
|
Donegal |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
266,338 |
|
Dublin |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
32,505 |
|
Kerry |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
239,938 |
|
Mayo |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
518,398 |
|
Sligo |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
65,555 |
|
Waterford |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
345,503 |
|
Wexford |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
326,199 |
|
Wicklow |
Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme |
188,491 |
2021
|
County |
Funding Stream |
Amount € |
905. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a herd number which is in joint names will be assigned to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4110/21]
View answerAmendments to a herd number must be requested in writing to the relevant Regional Veterinary Office. If there is more than one person named as a Herdowner, then the appropriate request to change details must be signed by all relevant parties.
To date, the local Regional Veterinary Office have received no correspondence in respect of the herd number mentioned. My Department officials were also unsuccessful in contacting the person named by telephone regarding this matter.
906. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4151/21]
View answerAn application for the 2020 Areas of Natural Constraints scheme was received from the person named on 31st March 2020. Any payments due in respect of scheme applications made prior to the applicant’s death are now payable to his estate. The Department’s Inheritance Enquiry Unit facilitates payments to the estate of deceased persons, once the Department has received all the necessary documentation to enable payment to issue.
A letter issued from the Inheritance Unit to the estate of the deceased on 6th October 2020 outlining the necessary requirements and documentation that must be provided. On 27th October 2020, the Department was advised that the necessary documentation would be submitted in due course.
To date, the Department has not received any further correspondence in relation to this matter and are therefore not in a position to enable payment to issue. An official has contacted the deceased’s widow to discuss the outstanding requirements to help resolve the matter. Once all necessary requirements have been met, my Department will process the payment at the earliest possible opportunity.
907. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of forestry payments for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4164/21]
View answerAn application for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme for the person named was approved in August, 2020. The applicant’s Registered Forester applied for and received approval to plant in October 2020. While the Registered Forester has provided notice of commencement of planting, no notice of completion of planting, nor an application for payment has been received by my Department.
When the applicant’s Registered Forester submits these forms, my Department will then be in a position to check and, if in order, process for payment.
908. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated full-year cost of recruiting three extra full-time archaeologists to deal with forestry applications within his Department. [4206/21]
View answerThe starting salary for entry level archaeologists is €32,321 so the cost in year one would be just under €100,000. This would rise incrementally each year thereafter.
My Department significantly enhanced our archaeology team in 2019 with the recruitment of two new permanent archaeologists. There are currently no plans to recruit additional archaeologists.
909. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the exports of beef to the USA in volume and value in 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [4207/21]
View answerThe Central Statistics Office provides statistics on beef exports by value and volume. According to its data, exports of beef from Ireland to the US for the period January to December 2019 were 4,777 tonnes, or €25.4 million in value. Comparative figures for 2018 showed beef exports at 2,135 tonnes, or €9.5 million in value.
As regards 2020, the latest data available covers the period January to November. This shows beef exports of 7,679 tonnes, or €35 million in value, which represents a significant increase on the 4,340 tonnes, or €23 million in value, over the same period in 2019.
Beef Exports Table
|
Jan-Nov 2019 |
Jan-Nov 2020 |
||
|
€ millions |
Tonnes |
€ millions |
Tonnes |
|
23 |
4,340 |
35.1 |
7,679 |
|
Jan-Dec 2018 |
Jan-Dec 2019 |
||
|
€ millions |
Tonnes |
€ millions |
Tonnes |
|
9.5 |
2,135 |
25.4 |
4,777 |
910. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all licences issued by his Department are being treated with equal importance; if his Department is prioritising a section; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4241/21]
View answerMy Department receives applications for afforestation, tree felling and forest road works licences daily. Every application received is treated on its own merits and considered on its own and in combination with other plans and projects near to the application site. The proposed operations are carefully assessed for their potential impact on the surrounding countryside and environment. All applications for forestry licences across the various categories are equally important although by far the greatest number of licences received are for felling.
By way of illustration, in 2020 over 3,200 new licence applications were received. These are broken down into approx. 25% for afforestation, 20% for forest roads and 55% for tree felling. Over 2,500 application decisions were issued last year with approx. 20% for afforestation, 13% forest roads and 66% tree felling.
The Deputy will be aware of a backlog of almost 2,000 forestry licences that have been referred to ecology. Files that are not referred to ecology are dealt with as they arise. For those files that are referred to ecology, a project plan is in place. Part of this plan is to give priority to those applicants who provide a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) to support their application. An applicant may, at their own expense, submit an NIS prepared by a suitably qualified person and this can reduce the waiting time for a decision to two to three months.
I am committed to increasing the level of output of all licences and would point out that in order to do so we have invested heavily in resources including the recruitment of additional ecologists, forestry inspectorate and administrative staff, with extra resources to be added in 2021. This has already resulted in an increase in the number of licences issued, and the last quarter of 2020 saw the highest number of licences issued last year.
The aim is to sustain and build substantially on that output and ensure the consistent high level of output and volume which the sector needs..
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my commitment to supporting the forest sector and to building on the recent progress, so that a continual improvement in delivery is achieved.
911. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the current output of afforestation licences being issued by his Department will achieve the target of 8,000 hectares of afforestation for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4242/21]
View answerI fully recognise and appreciate the impact the current forestry licencing delays are having on the sector and that afforestation rates are not currently at the level needed to meet the ambitious 8,000ha target as set out in the Climate Action Plan 2019. Having said that, my Department issued licences for 4,342ha of afforestation in 2020 and 2,433ha of new afforestation was planted.
Afforestation licences have a three-year validity and my Department estimates a total of 4,900ha is currently available for planting with a valid afforestation licence and not subject to appeal. I would encourage licence holders to plant afforestation and to benefit from the grants and generous annual premiums that are available. At present, my Department has 1,009 afforestation applications on hand for 4,500ha approx. and there are a further 90 awaiting a decision by the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) in respect of approx 1,100ha.
It is my immediate priority to increase the number of licences issued. You will be aware of the delays caused by changes to the licensing system which means that a significant number of cases now need ecological input in order to comply with environmental requirements. We are tackling these delays by means of a systematic project plan. We have invested heavily in resources including the recruitment of additional ecologists, forestry inspectorate and administrative staff, with extra resources to be added in 2021. This has already resulted in an increase in the number of licences issued, and the last quarter of 2020 saw the highest number of licences issued last year.
The aim is to sustain and build substantially on that output and ensure the consistent high level of output that those who wish to plant need.
We have also implemented changes to the functioning of the FAC and acted quickly to propose and implement the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. I have significantly resourced the FAC and four appeals committees are now set up and hearing appeals. The FAC is now hearing an average of 60 licences per month representing an increase of 150%. This increase in output will give confidence to applicants and appellants alike. The FAC in consultation with the Agriculture Appeals Office is currently reviewing ways in which greater efficiency can be achieved across the four divisions of the FAC.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my commitment to supporting the forest sector and to building on the recent progress, so that a continual improvement in delivery is achieved.
912. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the names and level of renumeration for each ministerial adviser employed within his Department; the specific responsibilities of each adviser; the specific details of each adviser's relevant qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4315/21]
View answerMinisterial advisers are appointed by the Government in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
There are currently five Special Advisers serving at my Department, as detailed below. Statutory Instruments 731, 732 and 733 of 2020 refer to these appointments.
Mr Patrick Donohoe and Mr Darran Brennan have been appointed to serve as Special Advisers to me. Mr Donohoe advises on press and policy matters and Mr Brennan advises on political policy matters.
Senator Pippa Hackett is Minister of State at my Department with responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity. Ms Caroline Murphy and Mr Stiofán Nutty have been appointed as her Special Advisers, who deal with media and policy matters respectively.
Mr Martin Heydon T.D. is Minister of State at my Department with responsibility for Research and Development. Mr Niall Goodwin has been appointed as his Special Adviser on matters relating to policy and media.
All four Special Advisers appointed by myself and Senator Hackett are on the Special Adviser (Principal Officer PPC) pay scale - €89,072 - €103,136 p/a.
Minister Heydon's Special Adviser is on the Special Adviser (Assistant Principal Officer PPC) pay scale - €69,012 - €80,392 p/a.
Details of the qualifications of each Special Adviser will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
913. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for a PCS number by a company (details supplied). [4320/21]
View answerBiocidal products may only be marketed and used in Ireland once they are registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and are entered on the “Product Register” in accordance with Regulation 20 of Statutory Instrument 427 of 2013.
On 11th September 2020, the Pesticide Control Division (PCD) of my Department received an application for registration of the sanitiser product referred to, from the company concerned.
When the required application fee was received on 10th December 2020, the application was entered into the PCD application system for processing. However, on 12th January 2021, the applicant submitted information seeking a significant revision to the proposed product content listed in the application.
Officials from PCD will contact the applicant in relation to this information and to progress the application.
914. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his attention has been drawn to the operations of communications group based outside the European Union to eavesdrop on the racing industry here by way of drone for rebroadcasting purposes globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4343/21]
View answerI understand that the issue the Deputy has raised is currently before the courts. As the matter is sub judice, I cannot comment further.
915. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his attention and that of his Department have been drawn to difficulties arising from Brexit for the bloodstock industry and national hunt racing; if any particular response has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4346/21]
View answerI am aware of the challenges Brexit has brought to the equine sector, as it has to all agri-food sectors. My Department worked closely with all stakeholders, other Government Departments and agencies and other European Union (EU) Member States to ensure that the best possible deal between the EU and the United Kingdom (UK) could be obtained. The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is very welcome in that it established a trading relationship based on zero tariffs and quota restrictions, and avoided what would have been very damaging tariffs in the event of ‘No Deal’.
However, even with the TCA in place, the reality is that the UK’s decision to leave the EU, the Single Market and the Customs Union means that operators must engage with a range of customs procedures and regulatory checks and controls on their trade with the UK that did not apply before 1st January.
There are more than 16,000 thoroughbred journeys per year between Ireland and GB, including movements to races, sales or for breeding. More than 5,000 of those movements are between Ireland and Continental Europe, using the GB land bridge. Brexit means that EU import rules apply to the entry of horses from Great Britain in the same way as they apply to imports of horses from other third countries. My Department has engaged regularly with stakeholders for the past number of years to ensure they are informed of the potential impact of Brexit on the equine industry, including issuing a number of guidance notes, and arranging a joint webinar together with the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in December specifically on the issue of equine movement.
My Department has also concluded successor agreements (“Bipartite Agreements”) to the Tripartite Agreement, with Northern Ireland and with France. Because the UK is a non-EU country, it is not legally possible to extend the Tripartite Agreement to Great Britain.
My Department will continue to engage with stakeholders on the challenges of Brexit. In conjunction with other branches of Government, my Department will continue to ensure that the necessary controls are conducted in a manner that ensures the minimum possible disruption to trade flows but also meets Ireland’s regulatory requirements as an EU Member State.
917. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a derogation will be provided to farmers who cannot meet the 5% reduction in stock condition for the BEAM scheme due to market fluctuation and the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4405/21]
View answerThe Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) provided temporary exceptional adjustment aid to farmers in the beef sector in Ireland, subject to the conditions set out in EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132. BEAM was funded by a combination of EU aid and Exchequer support. It was provided to support Irish beef farmers who saw beef prices fall in light of market disturbance.
One of the conditions under which the €50 million was granted by the EU was that there had to be an element of reduction or re-structuring built in to the scheme. Accordingly, in applying for BEAM, participants agreed to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on their holding by 5% for the period 1st July 2020 to 30th June 2021 as compared with the period 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019.
It will not be possible to remove the reduction requirement because the exceptional aid was granted to Ireland on the basis of this reduction being implemented. However, the Department has engaged with the EU Commission regarding possible flexibility around the deadline for meeting the 5% reduction and a response is awaited.
My Department continues to assist farmers in managing their commitments under the Scheme. Further initiatives involving revised data for the first six months of the reduction period and a scheme specific calculator that will allow farmers predict what effect proposed changes on their farm will have are to be rolled out in the coming weeks. My officials have also been liaising with agricultural advisors in relation to their engagement with their clients to continue to inform and assist them around the requirements of the scheme.
918. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason he has not given participants in BEAM their 12 month organic nitrogen estimate for 1 July 2021 on a no-change basis; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the pre-July 2020 stocking rate calculation is not only causing confusion but misleading farmers; if an individual July 2021 projection based on stock on hand between July 2020 and December 2020 will now be provided; the number of current participants who will be within the 5% threshold if they do not alter the stock on hand from the latest available date that stock numbers are available and the date in question used for this calculation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4419/21]
View answerThe Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) provided temporary exceptional adjustment aid to farmers in the beef sector in Ireland, subject to the conditions set out in EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132. BEAM was funded by a combination of EU aid and Exchequer support. Since 2019, 33,445 farmers have received some €77.72M as part of the scheme, €50 million of which was funded by the EU.
It was provided to support Irish beef farmers who saw beef prices fall in light of the COVID-19 market disturbance.
One of the conditions under which the €50 million was granted by the EU was that there had to be an element of reduction or re-structuring built in to the scheme. Accordingly, in applying for BEAM, participants agreed to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on their holding by 5% for the period 1st July 2020 to 30th June 2021 as compared with the period 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019. This reduction could only be recorded against individual herds that signed up for the programme.
Obligations under the measure were developed based on analysis of the herd profile and nitrates profile of the national herd. It was designed, in consultation with farmer representative organisations, to make the measure as easy to participate in as possible, whilst maintaining the requirement under the implementing regulation for temporary market adjustments.
My Department continues to develop and put in place supports for farmers to assist them in managing their commitments under the Scheme and further initiatives will be rolled out in the coming weeks in that regard. An online BEAM calculator is being developed which will not only inform participants as to how much of their target figure they have used but allow them to predict what effect prospective changes to their herd will have on their figures in the run up to the deadline.
Existing data provided shows participants the totals for organic bovine nitrogen produced on their holding for twelve month periods. These figures are updated monthly as soon as the data is available. Nitrates data is compiled from extracted information from my Department’s AIM system which is constantly being updated. Due to the nature of these updates and allowing for the intervals between events such as calving or movements taking place and being subsequently reported, there is a 5 week interval before the Nitrates data is extracted. This is to allow the data to settle and ensure accuracy as regulatory timeframes such as the 27 day registration rule for calves are provided for. The existing data is accurate to the end of November and the data up to 31st December will be available in the coming weeks. My officials will be writing to participating farmers again shortly to provide further information in assisting them in managing their commitments under BEAM.
Based on the most recent data, some 14,000 participating farmers are currently meeting the 5% reduction requirement.
919. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he plans to publish the statutory instrument to implement the EU unfair trading practices directive; the public consultation process that will be conducted before the adoption of the statutory instrument; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4445/21]
View answerDirective (EU) No. 2019/633 on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain (UTP Directive) must be transposed into Irish law by 1 May 2021. Department officials are currently drafting a proposal for a Statutory Instrument to directly transpose the UTP Directive as it stands. This will be finalised before the 1st May deadline and published accordingly.
A public consultation process was held in late 2019 which invited submissions from interested parties on the transposition and enforcement of the UTP Directive. Over 600 responses were received at that time.
The inclusion of any measures that extend beyond the minimum harmonisation requirements of the UTP Directive would require primary legislation. Further consideration is being given to the need for such additional powers during the process of implementation of the Programme for Government commitment to establish a new authority called the National Food Ombudsman (NFO). The legal and operational matters associated with this commitment are currently being assessed.
920. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Coillte limited a number of pre-planning public consultations to a 2 km. [4473/21]
View answerCoillte CGA was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest estate, are the responsibility of the company.
I have therefore passed the questions raised to Coillte for response and direct reply to the Deputy.
921. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if opportunities for public access to information on Coillte’s proposed Croaghaun wind farm were reduced compared to the opportunities that would have been available in normal times in view of Covid-19. [4474/21]
View answerCoillte CGA was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest estate, are the responsibility of the company.
I have therefore passed the questions raised to Coillte for response and direct reply to the Deputy.
