Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

394. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter regarding the cutting down of forestry (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1239/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

Coillte has confirmed that the tree felling, to which the Deputy refers, was on foot of a felling licence issued by my Department and that it was a windblown area due to Storm Darwin. As required under the legislation under which the felling licence was issued, namely the Forestry Act 1946, one of the conditions attaching to the licence is that the clearfelled area must be replanted with trees within a certain timeframe. This re-planting obligation will remain even if the land is sold.

In relation to the interest expressed by a third party about possible acquisition of the land, land transactions are an operational matter for Coillte who has advised, in this regard, that they are willing to engage directly with the stakeholder involved to discuss their interest and assess the options.