Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2021
537. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 966 of 11 May 2021, if the Forest Service sought expert advice to make these changes to procedures and practices or if all changes were introduced by the Forest Service headed up by the senior inspector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27549/21]
View answerThe Department made very significant changes to its Appropriate Assessment procedures in 2019. These were in relation to increasing the zone of influence for consideration of appropriate assessment from 3km to 15km and to implement in the European Case law in relation to the consideration of mitigation at screening stage.
There were a number of inputs to the decision including NPWS advice, expert advice from environmental consultants, feedback from the Forestry Appeals Committee and an examination of practice in other sectors.
