Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2022
589. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the required legislation change will take place enabling the replacement species for the reconstitution and underplanting scheme to be conifers on an area up to ten hectares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46771/22]
View answer603. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the required legislation change will take place enabling the replacement species for the RUS scheme to be conifers on an area up to ten hectares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47276/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 589 and 603 together.
The introduction of the legislation to remove the requirement for planning permission for Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme projects less than 10ha in size that involve the replacement of broadleaf high forest with conifer species is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
I understand that his Department completed the first stage in the Strategic Environment Assessment screening process and notified the prescribed statutory consultees on 22nd September 2022. Those statutory consultees have 4 weeks to respond to the notice. An Appropriate Assessment screening process is also currently being undertaken in parallel by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Ecological Assessment Unit.
I am hopeful that the legislation can be introduced once these processes have been finalised.
