John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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1288. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the legislation/powers currently in place to prevent the illegal felling of woodlands; what sanctions can be put in place when illegal felling occurs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12013/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Forestry in Ireland operates within a legal and regulatory framework – the Forest Act 2014 and the Forestry Regulations 2017 (SI No 191 of 2017). The regulation of forestry is necessary in order to protect forests and also to ensure that forestry operations and activities are carried out in compliance with the principles of sustainable forest management.

The felling of trees requires a licence, as per Section 7 of the Forestry Act 2014. Felling of trees without such a licence is an offence. Tree felling licences carry an obligation to replant the area felled.

Part 4 of the Forestry Act (sections 16 to 21) deal with the felling of trees and the requirements of same.

Section 26 of the Forestry Act describes offences and penalties, and includes the provision for the issuing of Replanting Orders. Failure to comply with a Replanting Order, as described in section 26, is an offence.

Compliance with forestry licence conditions is an important element of the forestry licencing process and is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the forestry licencing system. My Department carries out monitoring of licence holders for compliance with licence conditions. Typically, a Replanting Order is the primary method used, although prosecutions for non-compliance with the Forestry Act is also used, to ensure the replanting obligation is met in full.

Finally, for incidents of Alleged Illegal Forestry my Department has an Alleged Illegal Forestry section which can be contacted where a member of the public is concerned about alleged illegal forestry practices. They can be contacted at: aif@agriculture.gov.ie.