Forestry Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023

Monday, 11 September 2023

Questions (1276, 1277, 1280, 1284, 1334)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1276. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will publish his licensing plan for autumn 2023 and for the full year 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37861/23]

Claire Kerrane

Question:

1277. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department will publish its forestry licensing plan for autumn 2023 and for the full year 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37862/23]

Carol Nolan

Question:

1280. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he plans to publish his licensing plan for autumn 2023 and for the full year 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37887/23]

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

1284. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he plans to publish his licensing plan for Autumn 2023 and for the full year 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37923/23]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1334. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he intends to publish his forestry licensing plan for autumn 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39200/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1276, 1277, 1280, 1284 and 1334 together.

My Department has not been in a position to issue grant-aided forest road or afforestation licences this year while we awaited full and final approval of the new Forestry Programme 2023 -2027, including State Aid approval from the European Commission and the conclusion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment processes.

I am pleased to say that the Programme has now been approved by Government, and both the afforestation and forest roads schemes are open to applications. Felling licences continue to issue as normal.

As we are now in a position to issue all licences we will in the near future publish a new Forestry Licensing Plan. This will cover the reminder of 2023 while also indicating plans for 2024.

Question No. 1277 answered with Question No. 1276.