Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 September 2014
226. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide verification that the extraction methodology used in Gougane Barra is conducted manually using cabling (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35352/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest estate and associated tasks, are the responsibility of the company.
With reference to the control measures implemented in Gougane Barra Forest Park, County Cork, following the confirmation of Phytophthora ramorum on Japanese larch trees there, the company has advised that manual felling and cable systems were used on up to 80% of the felling of the Phytophthora Sanitation Felling in Gougane. The company advises that the other 20% were felled with tracked harvesting machine and forwarder to bring material to the roadside. As this is quite a technical issue, I understand that the company is happy to discuss this matter further with the Deputy to explain in detail the way in which this operation was conducted.
