Forestry Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023

Monday, 11 September 2023

Questions (1336)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1336. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department is satisfied with a proposal from an applicant for a felling licence (details supplied) to replant 90% of the trees with sitka spruce and 10% with hardwoods as they indicated in their felling licence application in 2018; if not, on what grounds this proposal is being refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39289/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department’s position is that replanting with 100% native species would be the best option long term for the site referred to and the receiving environment. In addition, there is funding available under the native woodland conservation scheme to carry out the replanting of the site with native species. We will continue to engage with the applicant to agree a way forward for the replanting stage.