Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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312. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he is taking to alleviate local concerns over the planning of forestry and planting in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5281/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Forestry makes a valuable contribution to the economic, social and environmental well being of County Leitrim. According to the national forest inventory 16.7% of Leitrim is under forestry, 27% of which is broadleaf.  In 2016 alone forestry payments worth over €2.6m were paid by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to over 300 landowners with Leitrim addresses, 70% of whom were farmers. Over 400 farmers living in Leitrim see forestry as an option for them and have participated in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s afforestation scheme.

In terms of forest planning the afforestation scheme already includes a number of measures that take into account local concerns. Proposals to plant trees under this scheme are subject to rigorous checks and balances and undergo careful planning by professional foresters. Notice of all applications for afforestation is  placed on the Department’s website showing townland, area of site etc.  In addition, the Department publishes notices in local newspapers where applications are made for afforestation in sensitive high-risk areas such as within a NHA, SAC, SPA or National Park or within a prime scenic area in the county development plan. In addition to these measures site notices will also be a requirement at the proposed entrance to the site once the new Forestry Act is commenced.  Environmental concerns have been further addressed with the Department's recent Environmental Requirements document. These rules  introduce, in certain circumstances, new setbacks and increases in some existing setbacks, in order to deliver more focused protection of water quality.