Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
1275. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to irregularities in relation to a forestry application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16929/21]
View answerMy Department received the application referenced in December 2019. A site notice must be erected at the entrance of the site onto the public road and, as part of the application documentation, a photo of the site notice in situ was received. Further, the standard application map indicated the location of the site notice. A Forestry District Inspector made a site visit on 30th January and the site notice was in place at that time. As for all applications, it was advertised on my Department’s website on 20th December and was open for public consultation from that date.
The licence issued on 3rd March, 2020 and 28 days were provided for appeal to the independent Forestry Appeals Committee. The decision was advertised on my Department’s website. No appeal was received.
I am satisfied therefore that the application procedures were followed in full from application to the issuing of the licence.
The site was planted between October and December 2020. Documentation submitted to the Department confirmed the number of broadleaves planted on the site which are in line with that required as part of the conditions on the licence. I understand that some trees were planted within the 60m setback from a nearby dwelling house and that the forestry company concerned have now removed these trees.
