I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together. I welcome the Deputies' interest in the preservation of the remaining oak trees at Coolattin and I share their concern about the situation there.
Under the Forestry Act, 1946, it is illegal, subject to specified exceptions, to cut down any trees without first notifying the intention to do so to the Forest and Wildlife Service now at the Department of Energy. In the normal course, any proposed felling is prohibited to allow time for examination, from a silvicultural point of view, by the forestry inspectorate, and, if in order from a silvicultural viewpoint, for referral to the local planning authority for consideration from an amenity viewpoint.
Local authorities who wish to preserve trees on amenity grounds do so by means of a tree preservation order, under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963. Where a tree preservation order is in force an application for consent to fell must be made to the local authority, which must then decide on the application under section 45 of the 1963 Act. A felling licence will not be granted by the Department of Energy unless and until the local authority have confirmed that the application is in order.
Coolattin estate, comprising approximately 500 hectares of woodland, 300 hectares of farmland and an historic 18th century mansion was sold to its present owners, Bridgefarm Company Limited, early in 1983. The Forest and Wildlife Service, now at the Department of Energy, have granted four felling licences to the company — and an associated company, Corglass Ltd. — since they acquired the estate.
The first licence, dated December 1983, authorised the thinning of 75 hectares and the clearfelling and replanting of 163 hectares. The areas in question were overmature and understocked. They were not subject to tree preservation orders, and the felling was cleared on amenity grounds by Wicklow County Council. This licence has expired, and the replanting obligation has been fully completed.
On 28 January 1986, following an application from Bridgefarm Company, a one-year licence was issued authorising the thinning of 14 hectares in an area covered by a tree preservation order and the clearfelling and replanting of 45.2 hectares. This licence expired in January 1987, and the replanting must be completed by January 1988. On 9 September 1986, a limited felling licence was issued authorising the felling of 548 trees subject to a replanting obligation of 24,000 trees and compliance with the conditions of Wicklow County Council's consent.
On 27 January, 1987, a licence was issued authorising the felling of 619 trees, subject to a replanting obligation of 36,000 oak trees and full compliance with the conditions attached to Wicklow County Council's further consent. Tomnafinnogue Wood is the only remaining oak wood at Coolattin. It is at present covered by a tree preservation order. An application for consent to fell in this wood has recently been received by Wicklow County Council.
On 21 March, I inspected the woodlands at Coolattin. I was saddened by the amount of felling that had already taken place. Tomnafinnogue Wood which remains is, in my opinion, of significant importance from the point of view of its scientific, visual, ecological and amenity value. I have accordingly asked the Ministers concerned to examine urgently the situation in the light of the application which has been received in respect of this wood. I hope Deputies will accept that it is not possible at this stage to go into what measures may be taken as a result of the examination now in progress.