Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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454. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Coillte will be mandated to develop fire breaks around residential properties; if Coillte is cleaning up fly-tipping that is occurring on its property on a timely basis (details supplied); if there is a clear line of responsibility over the person or body that pays the cost of the fire fighting that takes place on Coillte land; if these issues above lead to a delay in the start of efforts in the tackle of a recent blaze; and the cost to date of the fire service response to the fire at the bog. [31526/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Coillte was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of its forest estate, are the responsibility of the company.

The matter was, however, raised with Coillte who advise that the company has a fire plan for each of its forest properties which includes the creation of fire breaks in strategic locations carefully designed to restrict the spread of fires through their woodlands. Coillte advise that it has a team of fully trained and dedicated staff ready to combat forest fires at all times. Coillte add that, in relation to costs of fire-fighting where fire-fighting activity occurs on Coillte lands, the company engage fully with the local Fire Services in relation to any costs that may arise and that, in all cases, Coillte fully cover all appropriate expense arising.

Coillte further advised, in relation to the forest fire at Kildalkey, Co. Meath, the company has been managing the situation since the fire was reported and has had a presence on the ground in the form of forest managers in both active fire-fighting and response co-ordination. I also understand that a helicopter has also been contracted by Coillte on a number of days this week to attend the fire. Coillte advise that there was absolutely no delays in the start of efforts to tackle the forest fire at that location, adding that the company’s local forest manager was monitoring the site and, upon becoming aware of the fire at Kildalkey, he immediately contacted the Coillte helicopter and fire-fighting team to start the fire-fighting efforts at this site. I am advised that Frayne Bog extends beyond Coillte Property.

Coillte add, as regards the cost to date of the Fire Service response, that, as the current Condition Red Forest Fire Danger Rating remains in place, the company cannot say with confidence that there will not be another outbreak of fire at Kildalkey forest and so cannot comment on the costs to date as fire-fighting measures remain on stand-by.

Coillte advise, in relation to the fly tipping at its forest property in Kildalkey County Meath, that it has been actively engaged in the resolution of the litter issue at the said location and has corresponded on a regular basis with Meath County Council. The company add that, as the amount of litter on site is excessive, it has taken a substantial amount of time to plan these litter removal works, including tendering and the procurement of contractors to carry out the physical litter removal works. I understand that Coillte recently arranged for a skip to be delivered to site and is working with Meath County Council to form a collaborative approach to removing the litter.