Vol. 535 No. 4
94 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his policy regarding the planting of the sides of mountains; the kind of trees that are suitable in this regard; and if he will make a statement as to the suitability of the planting of the sides of mountains. [10762/01]
95 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the change of scenic views that arise when mountainsides are transformed by plantations. [10760/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together.
Given the impact of forestry on the landscape, in terms of aesthetics, environment and culture, measures are required that ensure overall positive results and avoidance of damage. For this reason, my Department has published guidelines on forestry and the landscape. I am placing a copy of the guidelines in the Oireachtas library.
The guidelines specifically address forestry on mountainsides and provide recommendations for this and various other forest-development scenarios. The guidelines apply to all grant-aided projects and to all activities associated with a felling licence.
The objective of these guidelines is to ensure a positive relationship between the forest and the character of a given landscape as a whole – in other words, to achieve a balance of land cover.
