Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 4

Written Answers. - Cork Land Sale.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

131 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht whether a person (details supplied) in County Cork can dispose of his land to Coillte for plantation developments; and if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that have arisen due to the heritage value of the land. [19317/96]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

I regret that without a map of the land in question the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, of my Department is unable to investigate this matter fully. I can say, however, that my Department plays no part in the purchase or sale of lands between private individuals or companies.

The general position is that the regulation governing afforestation grant aid requires the Forest Service to ensure that only developments compatible with protecting the environment receive such aid. The Forest Service requests advice in relation to such matters from NPWS, which examines each application to determine its impact on the environment and advises the Forest Service as appropriate.