Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will report on progress to review the Forestry Act 1946 ; if this review will increase the number of tree protection orders as well as the protection measures for trees on development sites; and the timeframe for this review. [24845/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently undertaking a review of existing forestry legislation.

A Consultative Group, made up of representatives from various commercial, state and voluntary agencies, was established at the end of 2005. The Consultative Group has been asked to (i) critically evaluate the existing Forestry Acts in light of current and future requirements, (ii) consider what additional measures need to be included in any new Act and (iii) evaluate submissions received following a public call inviting submissions from interested parties, made in November 2005.

A public seminar was held in May 2005 to allow those who had engaged in the public consultation process an opportunity to present their views to the Consultative Group.

The Consultative Group is in the course of completing its work. A Scheme of a Bill will be drafted and submitted to Government when this work has been assessed.

It is intended that the proposed new forestry Act will include provisions to protect trees and control felling, including on development sites where these fall within the ambit of the Act. It should be noted however, that Tree Preservation Orders are the responsibility of planning authorities, under the Planning & Development Act 2000. My Department does not propose to alter the current legislative provisions relating to Tree Preservation Orders. This would be a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.