Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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1855. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will allow farmers some flexibility on clear felling a forest (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19312/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Tree felling licences carry an obligation to replant the area felled. A replanting plan is set out in the application for a felling licence and is considered as part of the application assessment. 

Where the site is unsuitable for replanting, this will be considered, and an alternative location of the same size will be sought.  The alternative lands must have prior approval for affectation before the tree felling licence issued. 

The Felling and Reforestation Policy document, which may be found here gov.ie - Tree Felling Licences (www.gov.ie), sets out scenarios whereby replanting may not take place.  Applicants for tree felling licences may decide that they fall into one of these scenarios, and this must be included in their application for a tree felling licence.

The requirement to obtain a tree felling licence with an obligation to replant after felling has facilitated, in part, sustainable forest management, in all but the most exceptional cases.