Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
934. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the circumstances in which a tree felling licence was awarded to a person (details supplied) will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5092/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for forestry operations must be carefully assessed by officials of my Department to ensure any possible impacts the operations may have on the surrounding countryside and environment are fully considered. For this reason, my Department has recently amended its Appropriate Assessment procedures to take account of important Court of Justice of the European Union decisions, in respect of the Habitats Directive.
The tree felling application for the person named was reviewed by a forestry inspector and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) was requested on 12th September, 2019. As the Deputy has been informed previously, if the applicant wishes to progress with the application, they must supply the requested NIS before any further assessment of their application can take place.
