Forestry Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Ceisteanna (717)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

717. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is advising applicants that reconstitution and underplanting scheme licence applications will be withdrawn by a defined date in cases in which such applications are associated with ash dieback given that his Department is still discussing a resolution with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26096/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As part of the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022, which  was published earlier this year, we have committed to refocusing on the delivery on approvals for the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) (Ash Dieback).

It is the case that many RUS applications are screened in for Appropriate Assessment and are referred to ecology.  Of these, any that propose replacing the ash crop with conifer species currently require planning permission. 

My Department is continuing to engage  with the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage, with a view to amending legislation to remove the planning permission requirement in cases involving the replacement of broadleaf with conifers on sites under 10 ha. Once the proposed amendment is in place affected cases on hand will be processed in line with the legislation; we foresee no necessity for applicants to withdraw applications in order to avail of the new requirements.