Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2021
544. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department will write to each applicant that has lodged an application under the existing ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme and inform them of the contents of circular 5 of 2021 and the way it will affect their individual application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27703/21]
View answer545. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will instruct his officials to organise information and training events for the industry on the existing ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme particularly given the recent new rules associated with the scheme contained in circular 5 of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27704/21]
View answer546. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will instruct his officials to organise information and training events on the existing ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme for forest owners seriously impacted by both the ash dieback disease and the contents of circular 5 of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27705/21]
View answer547. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm his continued confidence and support for the existing ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme; his views on whether the scheme as currently constituted allowing for the new rules in circular 5 of 2021 is fit for purpose; if it has his full support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27706/21]
View answer548. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of applications under the ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme that have been approved since the launch of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27707/21]
View answer549. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the target for approval of applications by number and area under the existing ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme before the end of December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27708/21]
View answer550. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he sought a report from a qualified professional on the potential health and safety issues associated with harvesting and recreational activities close to or beside dead and dying ash, both plantations and roadside trees impacted by ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27709/21]
View answer551. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current impact of ash dieback; the rate of spread across the country; and the position of his Department as to the viability of ash trees in forests and individual trees infected by ash dieback. [27710/21]
View answer552. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current information on the incidence of rot and decay in trees infected with ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27711/21]
View answer553. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a Forest Service inspector or inspector of his Department has raised concerns over the practicality or operational feasibility or expressed any negative concerns to senior management within his Department on the existing ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27712/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 544 to 553, inclusive, together.
Circular 5 of 2021 concerns the possible requirement for planning permission from the Local Authority where broadleaf high forest is replaced by conifer species and where one or more of a number of other conditions applies. All registered foresters have been directly notified of this circular. As the agent for the land owner, it is expected that a Registered Forester with site specific knowledge should inform the landowner of requirements of the circular and how a specific application may be impacted. The Circular is also available on the Department’s Website.
In normal circumstances, following the introduction of any new scheme or scheme requirements etc, field information and training events are organised for Registered Foresters and provide valuable mechanism to assist in the understanding of any new operational requirements. The organisation of such field events was intended over the last year. However, it was not possible to proceed as this coincided with very significant COVID-19 restrictions around travel and outdoor gatherings. Now that COVID-19 measurers are easing and vaccinations are being rolled out, it is hoped that the opportunity for field training on the requirements of the Reconstitution and Under-planting Scheme and circular 5 of 2021 can be organised.
The Reconstitution and Under-planting Scheme was developed by the Department in order to provide the forest owner with a broader range of silvicultural and management options in support of the ash dieback impacted plantation. The scheme opened for applications in June 2020 and to date there have been over 304 applications with 61 approved to date. Circular 5 of 2021 of 5th May 2021 sets out clarifications that my Department has received under the Planning and Development Regulations from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
As ash dieback disease progresses nationally and within individual plantations, the potential health and safety risks associated with roadside, parkland and forest plantation ash trees will become an issue of increasing importance for land owners, workers and visitors. The Department is aware of these risks. Site specific health and safety issues together with any mitigation measures are the responsibility of the landowner and, ahead of any planned harvesting or forest visits, a risk assessment should be completed to identify potential hazards and mitigation required. This type of health and safety assessment is routinely completed by contractors ahead of any harvesting.
In relation to the impact and distribution of ash dieback disease surveys, since the first finding in 2012 the Department has surveyed the disease. Part of the 2020 survey included a systematic survey of National Forest Inventory points across the country leading to further findings. By the end of 2020, there had been findings in ash in over 660 locations in various settings – forests, nurseries and garden centres, on farm planting, roadside planting, hedgerows and private gardens in all 26 counties. The future viability of ash is under very serious threat. Experience of ash dieback disease observed in most European countries, is that it results in large scale tree mortality and threatens the existence of the ash trees all over the continent. The disease is now widespread in Ireland. However, approximately 1% - 3 % of a given population of ash will be naturally tolerant to the disease and this tolerance is heritable and is stable in trees that are propagated vegetatively and research nationally support by the Department and internationally to establish populations of tolerant material and make it available over the medium and long term.
Research is underway on the impact of rot and decay of ash wood impacted by ash dieback disease. A new research project jointly funded by the Department and DAERA in Northern Ireland called NEXCELSIOR “Next steps in managing the impact of ash dieback disease” – aims to develop evidence-based guidance for foresters to minimise the impact of ash dieback and to maximise the recovery of timber or other products/services and preserve ash as a component in Irish forests and hedgerows. One of the aspects of the project is to assess degradation resulting from dieback infection, to allow the development of recommendations for best practice in timber recovery from ash stands.
With the introduction of any new scheme, meetings are organised to discuss scheme requirements and implementation with staff and identify any issues that may arise. These meetings provide for two-way feedback and the opportunity for Department inspectors to express their views including any concerns they may have. Virtual events have been held to brief Department Inspectors on the Reconstitution and Underplanting scheme.
