Mary Wallace (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Eamon Ryan for raising this matter. As the Deputy is aware, Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters are the responsibility of the company. Clear felling is an operational matter for the company and my Department is involved in this issue in so far as it is responsible for the issue of felling licences under the Forestry Act 1946.

Ticknock forest comprises 148 hectares in total. Coillte has developed a forest management plan for the management of this area, which involves the harvesting and replanting of areas as they mature. This management plan has been the subject of consultation with the local community at a public meeting and on an individual basis following any inquiries regarding the plan. Some 16 hectares are being harvested and a felling licence was issued. As part of the licence application, Coillte consulted all the statutory bodies.

The felling operation is not interfering with the public's use of Ticknock forest except in the immediate vicinity of the harvesting operation where access is restricted for health and safety reasons. I assure the Deputy that the area will be replanted in the spring of 2007. I thank the Deputy for his support of the recreational policies in the forest. I hope today's children will have the opportunity and joy that the Deputy experienced when they watch the trees grow over the next 40 years.

It is important to state that the felling licence was granted following inspection and approval by the forest inspectorate and following consultation with the relevant environmental bodies such as the national parks and wildlife service, fisheries boards and county councils. Under the conditions of the licence, Coillte is obliged to replant trees on any land cleared within 12 months of expiry of the licence in accordance with the general practice of good forestry. Furthermore, as part of the conditions of the licence, all felling and planting operations must be carried out in accordance with the code of best forest practice and the national forest standard published by my Department and operations must also comply with landscape and environmental guidelines laid down by my Department.

The Act establishing Coillte requires it "to carry on the business of forestry and related activities on a commercial basis and in accordance with efficient silvicultural practices". However, Coillte is also highly aware of the value of forestry as a recreational amenity and its role in this regard. As recently as last year, Coillte produced a revised and updated position of its role and policy on recreation following extensive consultation with more than 170 organisations. This policy is contained in its publication Recreation Policy — Healthy Forests, Healthy Nation, which the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan was pleased to launch last September.

Coillte has 11 forests parks, most of which provide facilities such as toilets, parking, picnic sites, playgrounds for children, and a shop or restaurant on a seasonal basis. Coillte also has 150 recreation sites, including Ticknock forest, most of which provide basic facilities such as parking, picnic sites and walking trails. I thank the Deputy for his support for recreational policy relating to forests and thank him for raising the matter. I hope this clarifies the issue.

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