Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 525: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the hectareage of reforestation that has taken place inside areas designated as acid sensitive since the introduction of the acidification protocol which was drawn up by COFORD, the National Council for Forest Research and Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency to prevent planting in these areas; and if she will provide an assurance that the protocol's safeguards are being applied to reforestation as well as initial afforestation to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not being repeated. [12749/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Acidification Protocol, which was drawn up by COFORD and the Environmental Protection Agency, applies to initial afforestation only, i.e. the planting of trees on land not previously used for the establishment of a forest. The Protocol does not cover 'reforestation', which involves the replanting of forest-lands after felling of any trees. The information sought by the Deputy is, therefore, not currently held by my Department in the format required.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 526: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the conditions of all felling licences require that the felling and replanting operations must be carried out in accordance with Forest Service guidelines relating to biodiversity, in view of the importance of these guidelines for the future of the environment here and the Government promotion of awareness of the importance of biodiversity. [12750/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is a condition of all felling licences that all felling and replanting operations are carried out in accordance with the Guidelines published by the Forest Service of my Department in respect of Forestry and Archaeology, Forestry and Water Quality, Forestry and the Landscape, Forest Biodiversity, Forest Harvesting and the Environment, and Aerial Fertilisation (where a separate Statutory Instrument — No. 592/2006 — also applies). In addition, all felling and replanting must adhere to the Code of Best Forest Practice — Ireland and the Irish National Forest Standard, again published by the Forest Service of my Department.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 527: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when she last had contact with the Department of Finance regarding the matter of recouping from Coillte Teoranta forestry premium grants awarded to it but subsequently excluded from community financing under the guarantee section of the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund and confirmed by a European Court decision. [12795/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is in contact with the Department of Finance on the matter of the disallowance of forestry premiums to Coillte under Regulation 2080/92 with a view to determining the appropriate course of action. The issue is related to developing a longer-term strategy in relation to Coillte and I have asked Coillte to let me have a strategic review of their activities following recent developments in the sector such as the acquisition by Coillte of the Weyerhaeuser plant in Clonmel.