Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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235. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will put in place a detailed independent review of the whole forest sector here, both Coillite and private, with a view to determining the changes that still need to be made to meet the challenges of the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24746/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An in-depth review of national forest policy is currently being finalised. This review, arising from a Government commitment that such be undertaken, commenced in 2010 and was undertaken by a group consisting of representatives of the forestry sector. The review of forestry policy is currently in the process of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), which includes consultation with statutory bodies and the general public. It is anticipated that the process will be concluded by the end of July after which it is planned to issue the report, taking account of any further inputs received during the SEA process.