Vol. 503 No. 7
73 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason a premium has not been made to a person (details supplied) in County Galway concerning a plantation he inherited from his father; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11096/99]
This plantation was planted in April 1990. The premium scheme in force at that time applied only to farmers. The person in question, who inherited the land from his father in 1995, has been requested on a number of occasions to provide documentary evidence of his farmer status to support his claim to the premium. This has not yet been submitted to my Department.
74 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his views on the recommendations of the Heritage Council report, Forestry and National Heritage; the measures, if any, he proposes to implement in response to the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11182/99]
The policy paper on forestry and the national heritage, prepared by The Heritage Council, sets out in clear terms their position in relation to forestry. There are many positive aspects with which I am in agreement, for example the introductory statement that "Forestry has considerable potential to enhance Ireland's biological and landscape diversity, to offer aesthetic and amenity benefits while at the same time safeguarding our existing heritage and providing real economic benefit to communities" and recommendations that: promote the better matching of species and site; support sustainable forest management; and promote greater local participation.
There are, however, a number of generalisations and statements from which the Heritage Council draws conclusions and inferences which differ from the Government's programme. For example, a recommended target of 50:50 planting of broadleaves and conifers, compared with the Government target of 20:80, appears to be unsupported either biologically or economically and does not take into account the basic site requirements of broadleaf species.
Recommendations relating to increased control and planning of afforestation also fail to take into account the Forest Service approach which is based on a combination of sustainable forest management principles, national standards, indicative forest strategies and local participatory frameworks.
The Forest Service recently had initial discussions with the Heritage Council in relation to the policy paper. Further discussions are being held.
