Mr. Seamus Dunne:

I will address some of those issues with a written reply. Reference was made to the replacement of broadleaf high forest with conifer species and planning permission. In general, forestry activities are exempt from planning permission. There is an exception where there is replacement of broadleaf high forest with conifer species over 10 ha. The over 10 ha caveat is in the Schedules to the Planning Acts. In particular Schedule 2 to Part 3 of the regulations deals with replacement of broadleaf high forest with conifer species and states, "The area involved shall be less than 10 hectares". There is nothing we can do about it if the area is over 10 ha as it is in the Planning Acts. If the area is under 10 ha and it is screened in for appropriate assessment, it will also require planning permission.

I have taken a note of the other questions and we can include written responses to those. I can give more details on the planning permission situation as well.