Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
968. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when felling licences for a person (details supplied) will be approved; the status of the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5978/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy has enquired about two tree felling licence applications, the first of which was issued in October 2019 and was subsequently appealed to the independent Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC). Their decision was to cancel the licence.
The person named then reapplied for the same area covered by the cancelled licence in April 2020. That application has been referred to my Department’s Ecology Unit. The application site is near designated sites, including Lough Oughter SACs. Therefore, the impact of any felling operations on the sites and the surrounding area, must be carefully considered before deciding on the licence application.
If the applicant wishes, and at their own expense, they may provide a Natura Impact Statement (NIS). The NIS must be prepared by a suitably qualified person. A NIS can considerably reduce the time taken to assess the application, as once received, the NIS will be examined by an ecologist within two to three months and a decision will issue once the assessment of the application is complete.
