Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1027: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to review the Forestry Act 1946 in particular with regard to a ruling (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38405/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Following a comprehensive review of the Forestry Act, 1946, the Heads of the new Forestry Bill were approved by Government. The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel has commenced drafting the new Bill. It is intended to take a more flexible approach regarding the question of replanting after clear-felling by giving the Minister the power to waive the replanting obligation in certain limited circumstances. However, the general principle of replanting will remain in order to ensure that the national forest estate is not progressively eliminated. There are no plans to specifically exempt pensioners from the replanting obligation.