Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
2038. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will receive a decision on their felling licence application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15756/21]
View answerAn application for a tree felling licence, in conjunction with an application for the Native Woodland Scheme (NWS) was submitted for the person named in June 2020. The NWS application is not yet approved as the assessment of the tree felling licence is awaited.
The tree felling licence application has been referred to my Department’s Ecology Unit, as the site is partly within Drumhierny Wood pNHA (001412) and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) raised some concerns in their submission, in relation to the proposed operations. This Wood is an example of oak woodland on a base-rich soil which is a rare occurrence in Ireland as such areas are usually cleared for agriculture. I understand it is probably one of the best areas of mature oakwood in the county. Uncommon bird species have been recorded in the woodlands. Tree clearance is of concern as any such operations may threaten the quality of the site.
The application is now being assessed by an ecologist to take account of NPWS concerns and the Department will be in contact with the applicant shortly as to the outcome of that assessment.
