Compulsory Purchase Orders

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2013

Tuesday, 15 October 2013

Ceisteanna (325)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

325. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the fact that the Irish Farmers Association strongly opposes the function conferred on him to compulsorily purchase land suitable for afforestation or for any other forestry-related activities, if section 6(e) will be removed from the Forestry Bill 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43176/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Section 6(e) of the Forestry Bill 2013 does not confer on the Minister the power to compulsorily purchase land. It is merely a restatement of a current provision under Section 9 of the Forestry Act 1946 which empowers the Minister to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire land (e.g. by land swap).