Vol. 477 No. 1
71 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he was consulted regarding the introduction of planning guidelines and regulations for new forestry plantations; if so, the nature of such consultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8392/97]
I take it the Deputy is referring to the draft forestry development guidelines for planning authorities, which were issued as a consultation draft by the Department of the Environment in January 1997 and on which comments were invited by 12 March.
My Department was consulted both on this draft and on an earlier draft in late 1996 and provided extensive comments on both occasions on both the orientation and the content of the guidelines. I anticipate future meetings with the Department of the Environment on the matter as the guidelines need to be agreed between both Departments so that the forest service of my Department will be able to participate in their operation.
