Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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503. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to visit any ash plantation in the immediate term during the growing season to see first-hand the rate at which ash plantations are dying and rotting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35607/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am fully aware of the impact caused by ash dieback and my officials have carried out hundreds of visits to ash plantations since the disease was first identified in Ireland and they are monitoring the progression of the disease. Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has responsibility for forestry has also carried out a site visit to ash forests affected by the disease.

We are keeping all matters under constant monitoring and our priority is to continue to implement the scheme for affected landowners.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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504. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered issuing a health and safety warning to the public on walking in ash woods which are potentially infected by ash dieback, similar to that which his Department issues regarding fire danger; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35608/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As ash dieback disease progresses nationally and within individual ash woods, the potential health and safety risks associated with forest plantations roadside and parkland ash trees will become an issue of increasing importance for landowners, workers and visitors. Site specific health and safety issues together with any measures, including any risk assessments required, are the responsibility of the landowner.

The Department is maintaining close oversight of the progression of ash dieback disease and is considering all aspects of its potential impacts including the health and safety issues.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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505. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 294, 295 and 296 of 27 May 2021, if the Forestry Service district inspectors and Forestry Service ecologists will be involved in the approval and inspection of areas planted along riparian margins which is part of the new scheme to plant trees along rivers and watercourses to act as carbon sinks and interceptors of nutrients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35609/21]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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506. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 294, 295 and 296 of 27 May 2021, the scale of the introduction of a scheme to promote at scale the planting of trees along riparian margins that is anticipated in terms of hectares planted; if it is envisaged that this new scheme will be part of the next CAP; if not, if it will be completely removed from the next CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35610/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 505 and 506 together.

All Afforestation Licence applications for both broadleaf and conifer species are assessed by a District Forestry Inspector as part of the normal application process. All applications that have been ‘Screened In’ for Appropriate Assessment by the District Inspector are then referred to the Department’s Ecologists for further assessment.

Plans by my colleague Minister of State Hackett to explore the introduction of a scheme to promote, at scale, the planting of trees along riparian margins are at an early stage. Any scheme development will involve the normal consultation process with relevant stakeholders. It is a key priority in the Programme for Government to achieve better integration between our agri-environment schemes and our next National Forestry programme. A measure such as riparian planting would be an excellent example of this integration and is one of a number of measures under consideration for inclusion under the next round of agri-environment schemes.