Written Answers. - Forest and Wildlife Service.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
19
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for the Marine
and Natural Resources the extent to which his Department directs policy in respect of forestry and wildlife services; if Government policy is being complied with in all respects by Coillte Teoranta generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12433/99]
It is my Department's policy to develop forestry to a scale and in a manner which maximises its contribution to national, economic and social well being on a sustainable basis and which is comparable with the protection of the environment. This policy is laid out in the Government's strategic plan for the development of the forestry sector in Ireland Growing for the Future.
I have overall responsibility for forestry development in Ireland and the Government's forestry policy is discharged by the forest service, a division of my Department. My Department's responsibilities include national forest strategy, development of public and private forestry, administration of forestry grant and premium schemes, forest protection, plant health matters, control of tree felling, forestry awareness and promotion, support of research in forestry and forest products and the encouragement of multi-use forestry. My Department is also responsible for relations with the European Commission and a variety of international bodies on forestry and for expenditure in Ireland of EU financial sup port for forestry development. The legislative framework for forestry is principally set out in the Forestry Act, 1946 to 1988.
Government policy in relation to Coillte, established in 1989 under the Forestry Act, 1988, is to support the commercial development of Coillte so as to maximise, within the context of the strategic plan, the benefits from public forestry and to secure the optimum development of the sector, As Coillte was established as a commercial company, the day to day administration of its affairs is vested in the company.
I would like to point out to the Deputy that responsibility for wildlife policy rests with my colleague, Sile de Valera, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
