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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Apr 1924

Vol. 6 No. 38

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DESTRUCTION OF TREES.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the destruction of trees in Bray and Delgany, and in other beauty spots of Ireland; if he will take steps to prevent further cutting down of trees for private gain; and if he will see that no person is allowed to remove or cut down trees unless they plant two for every one removed, as is done in other countries.

The Department's attention has been drawn to the cutting down of trees in various parts of the country, but under the existing law no action can be taken by the Department unless the person responsible for the cutting has rendered himself liable to prosecution under Section 32 of the Irish Land Act of 1909, which provides for the Department's sanction being obtained under certain specified conditions.

Legislation for the provision of powers to prevent indiscriminate felling and destruction of woodlands is contemplated, though to my mind, it is not extremely urgent, but the prohibition of timber felling, when this forms part of normal forestry operations, and is carried out with a view to the replanting of the land cleared of timber, is not proposed. It is not considered that a regulation for the planting of two trees for every one removed would necessarily lead to the results desired. Similar measures formerly adopted in other countries are now regarded as obsolete, and have been replaced by laws which have for their object the general upkeep of woods and plantations and the encouragement of planting by private owners. It is hoped that a measure having these objects in view will be brought before the Dáil as soon as possible.

Arising out of the Minister's answer, will he say whether the matter will be urgent if he finds some of the beauty spots of Ireland, such as Killarney, are being destroyed by these despoilers of the woods—I may tell him such is contemplated?

Mr. HOGAN

Well, of course, as to whether there is a possibility of the timber of Killarney being cut down I am not in a position to judge, but I would be surprised to hear that.

Yes, and beauty spots in Co. Dublin as well.

Mr. HOGAN

There are four or five Bills in connection with the Department of Agriculture which are practically ready for introduction. This is not the most urgent of them, but I should say a Bill on this question of tree planting, and so on, will be introduced before two months.

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