Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action being taken in relation to the felling of trees (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18172/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a matter (details supplied) first came to the attention of her Department; and the action that has been taken since that date. [18400/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 172 together.

Following an inspection of this case by the Forestry Inspectorate of my Department in February of this year, it was recommended by the Inspectorate that prosecution be pursued under the Forestry Act, 1946 as the felling took place without a Licence.

The decision to prosecute in this case was taken on the 24th May and the papers were transmitted to the Legal Division of my Department to prepare the necessary briefing and summonses for the Chief States Solicitors Office, with a view to initiating proceedings.

It is a matter for that Office as to if and when summonses are to be issued under the 1946 Forestry Act the State has 12 months from the date of the offence to institute legal proceedings in such cases.