Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
983. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a statement (details supplied) made in the Coillte Annual Report 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24303/21]
View answerI am aware of the issues facing the forestry sector and the timber industry and considerable efforts have been made to address them. Significant additional resources have been recruited and training, information and guidance has been provided to both Department staff and registered foresters and, as a result, we have seen gains in terms of output.
The introduction of Project Woodland which is being led by Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has responsibility for forestry, is our strategy for resolving the licensing issues. The Project involves a review and refresh of our processes and procedures and includes outside stakeholder participation to bring an independent perspective. It is a task-driven process, with clear deliverable and milestones.
I am aware that delays in issuing felling licences in 2020 affected Coillte but the Deputy should be awarew that the company’s 2021 felling licensing requirements have now fully issued. I welcome the fact that the licences issued to date have allowed Coillte to provide sawmills with the contract allocation and to schedule auctions for the remainder, with one auction held already. Coillte recently submitted a batch of over 1,850 new applications and decisions on these applications will commence issuing in the coming weeks and continue for the remainder of the year.
The impact of delays in dealing with appeals was well recognised by the Department, which is why the system was reformed by means of the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act introduced in October, 2020. This reform has resulted in four committees hearing appeals whereas previously only one sat, which has had a significant impact on the number of appeals dealt with.
It is expected that all outstanding files with the Forestry Appeals Committee will be heard by 30th July, following which it is envisaged that there will be scope to turnaround the upcoming appeals within an average of a two-month period.
Coillte have indicated that they expect 2021 to be more successful year than 2020 and I am committed to supporting them in this aim through an improved and more efficient licensing process.
