Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy had sought clarification in regard to the situation at Gougane Barra. I researched what happened in Gougane Barra in regard to the felling of trees and believe it would be helpful to clarify this for the House before we continue with this Bill.

I assure the Deputy that Coillte was acting on instructions and following best scientific advice from the Department regarding controlling the larch tree disease. The disease is serious and affects many species, but larch is particularly susceptible to it. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued a legal disposal notice instructing Coillte to carry out felling at Gougane Barra. The decision was not taken lightly. It was important to take it in order to limit further spread of the disease, which was found in various parts of the forest.

I believe it is important to point out that the forestry inspectors from the Department took samples from the forest and sent them for analysis to two separate laboratories, the Department laboratory in Backweston and the Coillte laboratory in Wicklow. In regard to the use of the Coillte laboratory, I would like to make it clear this laboratory has particular expertise in forestry pathology and the Department often uses it for testing samples. Coded samples that do not indicate the location are sent. In other words, only the Department knows from where the samples being tested come.

The decision was not taken lightly, but on the best scientific advice available within the Department. It was the forest service of the Department which took the decision to fell, not Coillte. In fact, Coillte was instructed by the Department.

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