Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 5

Written Answers. - Coolattin Wood, County Wicklow.

Alan M. Dukes

Ceist:

138 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Energy the present position in regard to the prohibition on the felling of oak trees at Coolattin Wood, County Wicklow; whether any further steps can be taken to preserve what remains of the only oak wood in Ireland today; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Wilson)

Notice of intention to fell over 2,000 trees was made by the owners of Tomnafinnoge Wood, Coolattin, in 1987. Felling was prohibited pending an examination of the proposal by the Forest Service of my Department. The felling of 323 trees subject to conditions has recently been licensed within the general continuance in operation of the felling prohibition of 1987, and the implementation of an agreed management and renewal programme.

Tomnafinnoge Wood, although not a unique example of oak woodland in Ireland, is undoubtedly a place of great interest and an outstanding local amenity. The management programme proposed is designed to rejuvenate and regenerate the wood and is fully in accordance with good forestry practice.

Any preservation of woodlands or individual trees for amenity or landscape purposes, however, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority, in this case, Wicklow County Council who are empowered to issue tree preservation orders. The trees subject to the felling licence, as well as other trees, are still covered by the tree preservation order issued by Wicklow County Council and it now is, solely, a matter for the council to take a decision in relation to its own order whether felling of the trees for which a licence has issued can go ahead.