John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 498: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will ensure that a forestry application by a person (details supplied) is accepted on the old scheme as it was lodged in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11301/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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An application under the Native Woodland Scheme was received from the person in question in December 2006. As all schemes under the last Rural Development Programme closed on 31 December 2006 it was not possible to have the application processed before that date given the statutory requirements for consultation and assessment.

A new Rural Development Plan covering the period 2007-2013 has been submitted to Brussels and approval is awaited. Provision has been made in the new Plan to continue the work of the Native Woodland Scheme.

Applications in respect of which it was not possible to issue a decision prior to 31 December 2006 continue to be processed by the Forest Service with a view to issuing approvals under the new scheme when approved, subject of course to the relevant conditions of the new scheme.