Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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965. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an average of around 45 licences has been issued in each week for 2021 going by the quarter 1 dashboard figures between all of the approximate 60 forestry inspectors and ecologists of all grades dealing with forestry licence applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23908/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Over 1,080 licences have issued year to date which is an average of around 60 licences per week. The licensing situation continues to be our main priority. While the current licensing situation is still not as we wish, there is an improvement on the same period last year, with an increase of 11% on the number of licences issued.

A detailed breakdown is outlined below.:

- Felling licences are up by 1% but in volume terms are 29% higher than the same period last year.

- Afforestation licences are down by 3% but in hectares licensed are up by 16%

- Roads licences are 84% higher than last year and 11% higher in km's licensed.

We have set a target of 4,500 licences this year which is a 75% increase on last year. Every effort is being made to achieve this target and I expect May's output of licences to be significantly up on the previous month and for this to continue into subsequent months.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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966. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1116 of 28 April 2021, if his Department and the Forest Service were aware of the requirements before receiving the document from the NPWS in August 2012; if so, the reason the correct policies and procedures were not put in place to comply with EU law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23909/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department was fully aware of its legal requirements in 2012. How these legal requirements have been met and the various procedures and practices carried out to comply with the various EU Directives have evolved over time, in line with a number of factors including changes that are necessary as a result of legal cases clarifying the case law and, in particular, with respect to the Habitats Directive.