Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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255. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the planting of forestry on a commonage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3446/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Commonage land is not automatically excluded from the Afforestation Grant and Premium Schemes. However, all shareholders must be identified and each must give their consent to the application.  Further information on ownership and commonages may be obtained from Section 3 the Forestry Schemes Manual.

All applications for Afforestation are subjected to a screening process to determine if an Environmental Impact Assessment is required.  In some cases, applications will be screened for an appropriate assessment to ascertain if there could be a potential adverse impact on a designated Natura 2000 site.  National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) may be requested to provide their observations, particularly when a proposed site is close to a SAC.  Any restrictions would depend on many factors, such as the location, size and type of site, and information received during the consultation process.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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256. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding planting a commonage with forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3462/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Commonage land is not automatically excluded from the Afforestation Grant and Premium Schemes. However, all shareholders must be identified and each must  give their consent to the application.  Further information on ownership and commonages may be obtained from Section 3 the Forestry Schemes Manual.

All applications for Afforestation are subjected to a screening process to determine if an Environmental Impact Assessment is required.  In some cases, applications will be screened for an appropriate assessment to ascertain if there could be a potential adverse impact on a designated Natura 2000 site.  National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) may be requested to provide their observations, particularly when a proposed site is close to a SAC.  Any restrictions would depend on many factors, such as the location, size and type of site, and information received during the consultation process.