Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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223. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a matter (details supplied) regarding forestry plantation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6824/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Required setbacks regarding water, archaeology, landscape, dwellings and other environmental features are outlined in the suite of environmental guidelines published by the Department. These apply to all afforestation consented to under Statutory Instrument Number 558 of 2010, with or without grant aid.

The licensing of felling and reforestation must also take into account the general practice of good forestry, including the creation of appropriate environmental setbacks. These are also described in the Forest Service environmental guidelines and also in the Code of Best Forest Practice.

Therefore, in practical terms, rules regarding environmental setback distances are the same, regardless of whether forests are grant aided or not.