Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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1432. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the destruction of up to 30 acres of mature forestry in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58595/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department received a report on 16th July 2025 from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of a large-scale reclamation of private land in Rathcoole, County Cork. The report received detailed an alleged breach of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations. The site comprised a network of fields separated by extensive hedging.

While the overall site is approximately 30 acres in size, it does not constitute 30 acres of mature forest.

The incident involved the alleged removal of a network of hedgerows and the reclamation of semi-natural areas. The necessary site visits were completed in September. The appropriate next steps are in progress.