Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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838. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a tree felling licence application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5579/20]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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An application for a tree felling licence was received from the person named in July, 2019.

Every application for a forestry licence must undergo careful assessment for the potential effects the proposed operations may have, on its own or in combination with other plans or projects in the area.  The proposed site contains archaeological features and an archaeologist’s report was requested and received.

In addition to this, on initial examination of this application, it was determined that 13 designated sites were proximate to the tree felling site.  There is a possibility that the proposed tree felling may have an impact on one of these sites – the Lower River Shannon SAC and because of this an Appropriate Assessment report and determination or Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be required. 

Officials of my Department will complete the Appropriate Assessment report and determination.  However, the person named should be aware that there is a backlog of applications awaiting completion of assessments.  The person named may, however, have an NIS completed by a suitably qualified person at their own expense and submit it for review by my Department’s Ecology Unit.