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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 Jun 1993

Vol. 433 No. 1

Written Answers. - Controlled Forestry Programme.

Desmond J. O'Malley

Ceist:

99 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the statement by the Chairman of the IFA Western Development Committee on the need to implement a controlled forestry programme to ensure that farmers and other rural dwellers are not isolated by massive afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I have seen a newspaper report of the statement to which the Deputy refers.

There is already a significant element of control exercised in relation to afforestation so as to minimise any adverse impact on rural or indeed other areas. All projects for the afforestation of over 200 hectares require planning permission, including an Environmental Impact Assessment, from the local authority.

In addition, all grant-aided afforestation projects irrespective of size, must comply with guidelines issued by my Department. These include Guidelines on Forestry and the Landscape which set out requirements in relation to shape, diversity, scale, the distance that planting must be kept back from dwellings and other buildings, and other considerations.
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