Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 468: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the proposed guidelines for felling to protect the fresh water pearl mussel will be subject to a regulatory impact assessment. [32659/06]

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 469: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the date on which the proposed guidelines for felling to protect the fresh water pearl mussel will be published for public consultation; and the length of time that period will be. [32660/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 468 and 469 together.

The proposed guidelines for felling to protect the freshwater pearl mussel will not be subject to a Regulatory Impact Analysis. Regulatory Impact Analysis is a tool used to assess the likely effects of a proposed new regulation or regulatory change and implies a focus on the regulatory framework, i.e. primary and secondary regulation. The freshwater pearl mussel guidelines will not result in any new regulation or regulatory change. It is planned to have drafts of the guidelines available for consultation by mid-November with a four-week time span for responses.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 470: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will assure the Houses of the Oireachtas that the issues of hydrological impacts and dangerous substances are addressed by the Forestry Working Group associated with the Western River basin district to assist in the assessment of forestry pressures in the Water Framework Directive Catchment Characterisation reports; and if not, the measures she proposes to address these issues in relation to forestry. [32661/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The transposition of the Water Framework Directive is the responsibility of the Minister of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The hydrological impacts, and the use of herbicides and pesticides associated with all sectoral activities, are currently being addressed by separate working groups reporting to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The impacts, if any, can only be addressed once they have been quantified by the various working groups.