Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021
697. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any Coillte felling licences approved since January 2021 lack any information or are below the standard required in private sector licence applications for the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25620/21]
View answerOver 470 felling licences have been issued so far in 2021 for both public and private forest owners. In all cases, the Department assesses the information that is available to them on a case-by-case basis to decide if this information is sufficient to either issue the licence or seek further information.
In the case of harvest or replanting plans, these are not a legal requirement but all applicants are encouraged to include them in their applications. Where they are not provided, the Department may request this level of detail prior to a decision being made.
For Coillte applications submitted in March this year, the Department has requested that Coillte submit over 1,600 individual harvest plans which represents some 85% of all applications submitted.
I am satisfied that all licences issued to both Coillte and other applicants meet the regulatory requirements. An independent third part right of appeal exists in cases where any member of the public believes that a licence issued may be non-compliant.
