Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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780. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the present position on the change in legislation to remove the requirement for planning permission when replacing dead and dying ash plantations with conifers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57370/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The introduction of legislation to exempt developments from planning permission is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH).

However, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has had positive engagement with DHLGH on amending the Planning and Development Regulations to allow for the replacement of broadleaf high forest by conifers species on sites less than 10 hectares in size without the current requirement of planning permission.

I understand as part of DHLGH's consideration of amending the legislation they are carrying out an environmental assessment process and have formally consulted DAFM as part of this process. This assessment is ongoing.

I remain hopeful that the legislation can be introduced once this environmental assessment process has been finalised.