Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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251. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a tree felling licence application for a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be expedited. [23079/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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A tree felling licence application for the person named was received in July, 2019. Every application for a forestry licence must be carefully assessed by my Department to ensure that any potential impacts the proposed forestry operations may have on the surrounding countryside and environment are considered.

This applicant site is near to five designated sites, including the Bandon River and the Gearagh SAC and SPA. Therefore, the application was referred to my Department’s Ecology unit, for their input. If the applicant so wishes, they may at their own expense, submit a Natura Impact Statement (NIS).

Having a NIS in place can considerably reduce the time it takes to assess the application. If the person named decides to do so, they may contact my Department and guidance on the areas the NIS must focus will be issued.