Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as felling operations on the Coillte estate, are the responsibility of the company. The issue outlined by the Deputy was, however, raised with Coillte. The company advise that the track referred to is a fire-line and fence-line that was put in to protect a restock site in its Lugduff property. Coillte further advised that the felled area went through the standard felling licence application process. Fencing is a requirement of the resulting Felling Licence issued by my Department for this restock site. In addition the Forest Service’s Code of Best Forest Practice stipulates: ‘Firebreaks are necessary, particularly for large unenclosed areas with extensive boundaries and where heather, furze or purple moor grass predominate’. To protect the trees from animals and fires in areas such as Lugduff property it is necessary to create fire breaks and fence-lines, in this case due to the steepness of the ground it was not possible to create the fire break without causing a temporary visual impact.
Coillte advise that the area i n question is neither SAC or SPA. The fire-line was created between the end of February and early March 2015, and the company have stated that when the trees , which will be planted this year grow the track will be less visible. Coillte further added that they are mindful of the landscape impact of their operations and work with all stakeholders in consultation to develop their Forest Management Plans.
