Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1527. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a forestry rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24989/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Under the Forestry Act, 1946, a General Felling Licence to clear-fell carries a legal obligation to replant the felled area.  There is no provision in the Act to derogate from such an obligation. This provision of the Act was specifically intended by the Oireachtas to help address the chronic deforestation that had occurred in Ireland.  By the early 1900’s, forests covered less than 1% of Ireland’s land area; coverage now stands at 10.5% with Government policy aiming to increase that further.

The only exceptions to the replanting requirement are under a Limited Felling Licence for small projects that provide value to the community (such as playing fields for schools and community centres, etc.) or up to 0.5 ha to build a home for a landowner or for his/her immediate family.  Any project that is for commercial gain (any ‘business’ such as housing developments, wind farms, farming, industrial, etc.) is required to replant the site or to plant an alternative equivalent site. 

Replanting after felling is essential to prevent deforestation. There is an obvious need to avoid deforestation. Forestry makes a valuable contribution to jobs and growth. It also contributes to Ireland’s carbon storage, environment, landscape and amenity. To permit such deforestation would counteract the benefits of Ireland’s afforestation programme and associated public expenditure, which to date has amounted to a substantial State and European Union investment over many years.