Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As a Deputy representing Sligo-North Leitrim I am well aware of the importance of the forestry industry in Ireland. Our forests are a vital natural resource which, at the same time, can present a challenge within communities. Forestry accounts for 11% of Ireland's land use, which compares unfavourably with a figure of 30% globally and up to 40% in Europe. In Leitrim, 16% of land is under afforestation, with the figure for Sligo being 12%. These percentages are above the national average and are, in part, a reflection of the rural character of both counties.

The introduction of this Bill is timely. It includes several proposals dealing with existing inadequacies that require to be addressed. Issues regarding the felling of mature forests have implications under many headings. For example, the blight it causes on our scenic environment can be immense. More than three years ago an area of forestry was felled at a beautiful location just outside Drumshanbo in County Leitrim which was known locally as the Acres amenity. The forestry site overlooks Acres Lake, which sees cruise traffic along the Shannon-Erne navigation waterway and is beside an outdoor swimming pool and playground operated by Leitrim County Council. The tree felling was undertaken legally by the private owner and had to be done as the trees had matured. However, locals were perturbed at what they saw as the blight on the landscape when the trees were removed, leaving behind a barren landscape. This is a situation that will be addressed under the Bill.

Another key provision is the introduction of changes to the felling licence system. A single licence will now be required as opposed to the two separate licences required under the 1946 Act, namely, a general licence and a limited licence. In addition, applications will no longer have to go before the Garda Síochána and will instead go through the Minister of the day. In the past 30 years we have seen an enormous increase in the number of private forestry owners and a corresponding increase in the number of felling licence applications. The view among the private sector is that the current system is not fit for purpose. The proposals in the Bill will reduce the amount of red tape and expedite the processing of felling applications.

The protection of the environment is always an important consideration and I welcome measures contained within the Bill to address this issue. Section 11 provides that the Minister must consider whether specific impact assessments should be carried out, including a screening for an environmental impact assessment and the submission of an environmental impact statement. Such impact studies are common in respect of other planning applications and are necessary in a context where felling decisions can have a significant impact on communities. There have been several stand-offs in this regard with local authorities in recent years. Engineers representing county councils have expressed the view that the level of financial deposits or payment does not adequately compensate the local authority for the damage done to small local roads. That is a major issue. The Minister might address these concerns in his reply and outline the input of the Minister of the day in respect of the consideration of a felling licence by the relevant local authority. I understand some councils adopt different approaches to tree-felling contractors by insisting on more in the way of regulations such as a limitation on the size of vehicular access to a felling site, thus reducing the amount of timber that can be brought out at any one time. We must adopt universal regulations in consultation with the timber industry, haulage contractors and local authorities.

The decision of the Government not to proceed with the sale of Coillte is very welcome considering the work the company does and the resources it offers communities, such as Lough Key Forrest and Activity Park in Boyle, Co Roscommon. Forest walks maintained by Coillte in my own county of Sligo are a wonderful amenity. There is work to be done, in tandem with Fáilte Ireland, Coillte and the local authorities, in examining how we can further develop our forests as walking and leisure trails.

I welcome the proposals on replanting and ask the Minister to enforce a timeframe of replanting within the felling licence to ensure the eyesore of recently harvested land can be quickly turned around, especially in the vicinity of lakes and other scenic areas. I take this opportunity to recall the important work of our late colleague and Minister of State, Shane McEntee, in preparing the ground for these proposals. Many of us remember him and his contribution to the betterment of the forestry industry in Ireland as we contribute to this debate.

See this speech in context