Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Virtually all commercial felling is undertaken on foot of a General Felling Licence, issued in accordance with the requirements of the Forestry Act 1946, and it is a standard condition of such licences that all areas felled must be replanted. The Deputy does not ask for details in respect of any particular period, but by way of illustration, General Felling Licences for the clear-felling of 637.5 hectares of trees on privately owned land have been issued during the period 1st January 2006 to date. This figure is exclusive of clear-felling licences issued to Coillte Teoranta.

The duration of validity on these licences can range from one to five years. Under the replanting conditions attached to each licence there is a compulsory requirement to replant the cleared area within 12 months of expiry of the licence. In accordance with the conditions laid down, it would be expected that 100% of such areas would be replanted, unless a smaller area had been agreed for environmental reasons.