Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 532: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position on the introduction of legislation regarding the height of trees; if he has given consideration to the fact that State foresteries have been planted in locations in which they have taken away from householders views and indeed in many instances their natural sunlight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29672/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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It is not proposed to limit the height of trees in legislation. All afforestation projects must obtain the prior approval of this Department. Before any afforestation project is granted approval, the Department undertakes an assessment of the project, examining both the suitability of the site to grow trees and any environmental issues. If a proposed afforestation project is located on land that is suitable for growing trees, and if the planting of trees is unlikely to have an adverse effect on the environment or landscape, the application will normally be granted approval. A number of standard conditions apply to all afforestation projects approved by this Department. In the case of a plantation that is close to existing housing, an exclusion zone of 60 metres would apply from the dwelling within which no trees may be planted. The purpose of this is to minimise the impact of the forest on the dwelling and to ensure adequate light.

Forests should be planned and managed in a way which enhances the landscape and to this end the Department operates within guidelines the purpose of which is to minimise the impact of forestry on the landscape. These measures are included in the Forestry and the Landscape Guidelines which outline best practice in forest design.