Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
1167. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application for a felling licence will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30525/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department received an application for a tree felling licence from the person named in October 2020. Following an initial examination, archaeological sites and features were identified and the application was referred to my Department’s Archaeological Unit.
The application contains multiple plots with operations planned over 10 years and the site is close to five Recorded Monuments. Conditions for the protection of the archaeological features have been finalised with the National Monuments Service (NMS).
Furthermore, the proposed site lies near five designated sites. The possible effects of the tree felling operations may have on these sites cannot be excluded and, therefore, the application has been referred to the Department’s Ecology Unit. I understand that a harvest plan has been submitted with the application, which will assist with the ecological assessment of the proposed operations.
Once that is complete, the application will be returned to the District Inspector, who will complete their assessment, make their recommendations and a decision will issue shortly thereafter.
