Dáil Éireann - Volume 465 - 21 May, 1996

Written Answers. - Forestry Projects Notification.

Mr. Nealon Mr. Nealon

172. Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Environment whether he can ensure, without introducing primary legislation, that when notification of a forestry project, under the 70 hectares limit for which planning permission is now required, is made to the local authorities under the new regulations recently made by him, that the local authorities will in turn be required by regulation to place an advertisement or by other means to bring the proposed project to the attention of neighbours or other interested parties; and if he will consider taking such an action in view of the fact that much of the impact of the new regulations might be negatived in the absence of a way of bringing developments to the attention of interested parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10431/96]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin) Brendan Howlin

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin): The new procedures which involve notification to local authorities of certain forestry projects below the new 70 hectare threshold will operate administratively and I have no power under current legislation to make regulations requiring notification of the kind referred to in the question.

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However, as stated in my reply to Question Nos. 6, 12, 14, 36, 55, 79 and 94 of 9 May 1996, I believe that there is [1623] a case for removing the current exemption from planning permission enjoyed by afforestation which falls below the EIA threshold and I will be considering appropriate provisions for amending legislation in the light of the experience gained through the non-statutory local authority notification system.

Dáil Éireann 465 Written Answers. Forestry Projects Notification.

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