Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1003. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the person or body responsible for introducing a policy change (details supplied) to the forestry planting programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12491/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The decision to limit the amount of unenclosed land being planted to 20% of any one application and to reduce grants and premiums for such land was made by the Department in 2010. The decision was made based on economic, environmental and value for money reasons and informed by EU Commission views on forestry and environment policy, both at the time and subsequently in bilateral discussions.

The issue of afforestation on unenclosed land will be examined in the context of the implementation of the Mackinnon report which has made specific recommendations on land availability and suitability. I am implementing this through Project Woodland and have specifically tasked one of the working groups with examining this issue in more detail.