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Forestry Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021

Thursday, 21 October 2021

Ceisteanna (27)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

27. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with Coillte and other stakeholders in order that Cratloe Woods, County Clare can, in part, be designated a heritage forest and that the once famous plantation of native sessile oaks can be re-planted. [51251/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy may be aware, Cratloe Woods in Clare is owned and managed by Coillte and as such is its day-to-day management an operational matter for the Coillte.  In view of the question raised, I have however made enquiries with Coillte on the matter.   

Coillte advise that the wood in Cratloe is approximately 356 hectares in size and, although it may have had a history of being once a large and vibrant oak woodland, the canopy cover for oak today is around 5%.  Coillte acknowledge the importance of the remaining stems of oak on the site and have put measures in place to retain and protect such veteran trees on their operational plans. They also hope to enhance areas where strong indicators of oak woodland habitat are present and in respect of this sought input through a public consultation for their five-year management plan ‘Coillte Five Year Forest Plan – Mid West 2021-2025’. A draft plan was published on the Coillte website and an information note was erected at Cratloe Forest during the public consultation period  which has now closed. Coillte are currently in the process of finalising this five year plan, using the feedback received from the consultation process.  

I am advised that Coillte are open to discussing any aspect of their forest management at Cratloe Woods with the public or any other interested Community groups.

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