Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
1932. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 315 of 6 April 2016 and 223 of 14 April 2016, the status of a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33676/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA general felling licence was issued to the applicant on 1 July, 2013. The licence was to clear fell 2.80ha and to be replanted, within one year of expiration of the licence. Replanting was therefore to take place by 1 July, 2016.
Rules regarding replanting and setbacks in general are set out in the Department’s suite of environmental guidelines as well as in the Code of Best Forest Practice. The Department recommends that forest owners planning the replanting of forestry sites should liaise with the owners of neighbouring properties, to resolve in advance any potential concerns. Setback distances for water bodies are determined by slope and soil type with buffer zones, as they are also referred to, ranging between 10 and 25 metres. Setback distances from dwelling houses and associated building is 60 metres, or 30 metres with the written consent of the owner. These setback distances for both buildings and water bodies apply in the context of replanting.
The land concerned was inspected following replanting and the landowner was informed in writing, on 12 September 2016, of the requirement to maintain appropriate setbacks and requested to remove any trees that were planted within the specified setback zones. The landowner was again written to the following December.
A further site visit in spring 2018, ascertained that 0.42ha has not been replanted and has been converted to agricultural land. The matter of setbacks was also examined and it was determined that trees had been replanted to within 25m of the dwelling concerned. Both the area that has not been replanted and the matter of correct setbacks can be remedied using a replanting order, which will be issued to the landowner in due course.
