Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 June 2021
319. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 308 single consent licence applications that have been approved since his Department became the sole consenting authority for forest road works licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33942/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDecisions have issued for 95 of the 308 Single Consent Forest Road Licence applications that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has received since 7th February 2020. To date this year, the Department has issued forest road works licences for 142km, which is well in excess of the annual target of 125km as set out in in the Climate Action Plan 2019.
Forestry licence decisions continue to issue daily and we are committed to issuing 4,500 licences this year, which is an increase of 75% on last year, accepting that last year was low in terms of output. June is on track to be the highest month so far this year.
