Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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504. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the technical standards for the design of forest entrances from public roads will be reviewed; if clear guidelines will be developed for the granting of planning permission for design and construction of forest entrances from public roads especially in the vicinity of dwelling houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24988/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The creation of forest entrances to and from public roads currently requires planning permission from the relevant local authority under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.  It is now proposed to introduce  a Single Consent System, whereby my Department would issue a  single licence for such entrances to public roads, with the exception of national roads which would still require planning permission.This new consent system will be introduced once the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government  commence the relevant section of the Planning and Development Act.  At the same time, my Department will, by way of Statutory Instrument, assume responsibility for the consent system.

Under this system, a series of measures aimed at minimising the impact of forestry activity on the public road network while also supporting the economic benefits that the forestry sector offers at local level will be introduced.  These measures include:

- Adherence to the Technical Standard agreed by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport  for the design of forest entrances from public roads (). This Technical Standard will be subject to regular review to ensure it remains up to date;

- Consultation with local authorities and other relevant prescribed bodies in relation to forest road licence applications;

- Promotion of DAFM's grant scheme  to encourage the use of central tyre inflation technologies on timber transport vehicles.

Once the new consent system is in place, clear guidance on the  application process will be published on the Department's website and will notified by means of a circular to stakeholders.