Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 618: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the staffing details of the forestry appeals unit set up in January 2002 to process appeals against decisions of her Department to approve afforestation projects; the number and circumstances of the cases it has considered; and the results of these appeals, together with their reasons. [29189/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The appeals procedure is handled by an administrative unit of the forest service. The unit is staffed by one higher executive officer, 50% of time and one clerical officer. The appeals committee comprises a senior inspector and an assistant principal officer.

The unit deals with two main categories of appellants. There are applicants whose proposals for afforestation have either been rejected or modified, or who are dissatisfied with any decision made in their entitlements under the forestry grant and premium schemes. There are third parties who, having previously been consulted, object to a subsequent decision to approve afforestation in certain areas. The majority of appeals fall into the first category.

Eight appeals against decisions to approve afforestation have been considered. The grounds for objection include a range of issues, such as environmental, amenity, economic and ecological concerns. The following table provides details of the appeals to-date against decisions to approve such afforestation projects.

Each case under appeal is re-examined and an on-site inspection is carried out if necessary. Independence and quality of decisions are assured by the fact that inspections and adjudication on appeal cases are carried out by senior staff not previously involved in making the original decision.