Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2021
611. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a forestry felling licence will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36568/21]
View answerA felling application was received in March 2019 for the person named and has been referred to the Department’s Ecology Unit. The application site is near nine designated sites including the Stacks to Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills and Mount Eagle SPA. Therefore, the impact of any felling operations on the sites and the surrounding area, must be carefully considered before deciding on the licence application.
A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) was submitted to the Department on 30th June 2021 and is being prioritised. We expect that an ecologist will begin work on this file within the next 2 to 3 months. The licence should issue shortly afterwards.
