Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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979. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a licence application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6372/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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An application for a tree felling licence for the person named was received in January 2019 and has been referred to my Department’s Ecology Unit. The application site is near eight designated sites, the Ballyseedy Wood SAC. Therefore, the impact of any felling operations on the sites and the surrounding area must be carefully considered before deciding on the licence application.

If the applicant wishes, and at their own expense, they may provide a Natura Impact Statement (NIS). The NIS must be prepared by a suitably qualified person. A NIS can considerably reduce the time taken to assess the application, as once received, the NIS will be examined by an ecologist within two to three months and a decision will issue once the assessment of the application is complete.