Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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166. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timetable for the reopening of Gougane Barra Forest Park following the planned destruction of 16,000 trees due to an outbreak of the fungus phytophthora ramorum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4472/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest estate, are the responsibility of the company.

The company has, however, advised that, in relation to the disease control measures in Gougane Barra Forest Park, Cork, the felling operation commenced on 20th January 2014 and that, following the felling, the site will be replanted. The company has also advised that the Park will close for the duration of the process, which includes harvesting, timber removal and replanting, all of which Coillte estimate will take up to six months.