Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
770. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for a forestry licence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8816/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra772. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a forestry road application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8900/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 770 and 772 together.
The application for a forest road works licence from the person named covers an area that is close to several designated sites including Doo Loughs, the Killarney National Parks and the Caragh River catchment. The effects the proposed operations may have on these sites must be carefully assessed, particularly as the Kerry County Development Plan 2015 – 2021 has declared the area as a high-sensitivity landscape and a primary amenity area.
My Department will carry out an Appropriate Assessment Report and Determination, which will take some time to finalise. However, it is open to the person named to engage a suitably qualified person to prepare a Natura Impact Statement (NIS). The completed NIS will then be assessed by my Department’s Ecology Unit before giving a final determination on the application.
