Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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268. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a felling licence for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29061/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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An application for a tree felling licence for the person named was received in January this year. Every application must be carefully assessed for its potential impact on the surrounding countryside and environment.

The proposed site of the felling operations lies within the zone of impact of eight designated sites. Therefore, the application must be carefully assessed by my Department's Ecology Unit. The person named may, if they wish and at their own expense, submit a Natura Impact Statement (NIS), which can considerably reduce the length of time required to consider the application. If they so choose, they can contact my Department, where they will be provided with guidance on what areas the NIS must focus. Once the assessment of the application is complete, a decision will issue.