Latest news with #ForestryAppealsCommittee
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Local GAA club among objectors to controversial north Mayo forestry plantation
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has granted permission for a 12.66-hectare forestry plantation consisting of 80pc sitka spruce and 20pc broadleaf at Carrownisky, Ballycastle. There has been widespread public opposition to the proposal, with public demonstrations and public meetings taking place there in recent days. A public meeting on Saturday heard calls for the development to be halted immediately and for a meeting with Coillte or the relevant government minister to resolve the matter. Local county councillor Jarlath Munnelly said there was 'a lot of concern' in the locality about the project. Cllr Munnelly said that locals were not against forestry but were strongly opposed to it being located near the GAA grounds and several houses. 'This is land that is suitable for farming, this is land that is not suitable for forestry,' the Fine Gael councillor told Midwest Radio. The Department of Agriculture's Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) reinstated the forestry license on December 24, 2024 after considering three appeals. Planting of the site has already commenced, and the contractor is currently not on site. Thirteen submissions were made regarding the forestry license in 2022 prior to its approval. One of these submissions was from Ballycastle, whose grounds are located beside the proposed site. Eilis Ormsby, Chairperson of Ballycastle GAA Club, said the development could damage their training grounds due to potential flooding. ADVERTISEMENT The club, which competes in the Mayo Junior Championship, opened new a new clubhouse at Tom Langan Park in 2022. Ms Ormsby said the applicant had given 'undue regard' to the aesthetic impact on the clubhouse viewing area and the loss of natural light to the adjoining pitches. She warned that the development could potentially increase the club's insurance costs due to the risk of fire and flooding. 'The proposed afforestation would be an ideal habitat for wild animals such as foxes, deer and badgers, who are known transmitters of disease i.e., TB and as a habitat for deer could cause damaged to boundary fence and damage to our ground,' she added. Ms Conway concluded by saying that the club were 'very disappointed' that that they were not consulted with prior to the application being submitted to the Department of Agriculture. The appeals against the license listed various other concerns, including an increased number of midges, traffic issues, sediment runoff into a nearby river and the existing wet grassland being home to the marsh fritillary, a protected species of butterfly. Addressing these concerns, the Forestry Appeals Committee said that herbicide would be applied by ''spot spraying' thus not allowing any of the herbicide to become airborne and effecting air quality'. 'The site is stated to be improved agriculture land and DAFM do not consider afforestation on this land type to increase fire risk. It is stated that there is no evidence that an increase in biodiversity and wildlife will have an adverse effect on the farming community. The proposed project area is stated to be to the east of the Wild Atlantic Way thus not hindering any views,' it continued. The FAC said there would no increased flood risk for the GAA club as the development is located upstream from the club grounds. Road safety matters were said to be a matter for Mayo County Council and An Garda Síochána. The application was referred to Mayo County Council and no response was received. It was noted that the site fronts onto a public road and the level of traffic generated by the project would 'not be greater than current agricultural practice'. The matter was raised in the Seanad this week by Ballina-based Senator Mark Duffy, who called on Minister of State with special responsibility for forestry, Michael Healy-Rae, to meet the community to discuss the issue further. 'Communities like Ballycastle on the western seaboard and the Wild Atlantic Way have been decimated by depopulation but have very gracefully welcomed international protection applicants within the community and are trying to lead the regeneration of buildings and make them better places for emigrants to return to. Measures like this fly in the face of a community that is trying to lead strong regeneration,' said Senator Duffy.
Agriland
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Agriland
Healy-Rae asks forestry appeals body to prioritise windblown sites
Minister of State with responsibility for forestry Michael Healy-Rae has said he has asked the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) to prioritise appeals concerning sites that include trees downed by storms. The minister was speaking after receiving the 2024 FAC report from the body's chairperson Seamus Neely. The FAC is an appeals body for anyone who wants to appeal a decision of the minister on whether to grant a licence for afforestation, felling, ariel fertilisation, or forestry road construction. Minister Healy-Rae said: 'The appeals mechanism is an essential element of the forestry decision-making process in Ireland. 'It is important that both appellants and licence holders see a transparent and comprehensive appeals process, and feel that due process is fully served, and I believe that this is the case. 'As part of the government's response to storms Darragh and Éowyn, I have asked both [the] department and the [appeals] committee to prioritise appeals on sites which have been identified as being affected by windblow,' he added. Minister Healy-Rae also said: 'I would like to acknowledge Seamus Neely's excellent work in chairing and overseeing an effective and responsive appeals process. 'I would also like to thank the deputy chairpersons, all the members of the committee and the staff of the Agriculture Appeals Office for their continued contribution in ensuring an effective and efficient appeals service for the forestry sector,' he added. According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the key findings in the FAC report for 2024 are: As of January 1, 2024, there were 53 open appeals against 41 licence decisions from 2023 that were yet to be resolved; An additional 146 appeals were received against 115 licence decisions over the course of 2024; The FAC closed 73 appeals against 58 licence decisions during 2024, including the carried over appeals from 2023; Over 2024, the average time taken to make a decision on an appeal from date of hearing was 55 days. Forestry appointments Separately, Minister Healy-Rae has also announced the appointment of two new non-executive directors to the board of Coillte. Commenting on the appointments of Michael Patten and Declan Meehan, Minister Healy-Rae said: 'They bring a wealth of experience and skills to the board. Their appointments bring the board membership back to full strength, consisting of four woman and five men. Both men have been appointed for a five-year period effective from June 6. Patten's appointment was made following a competitive process undertaken by the Public Appointments Service, while Meehan was nominated for the position of worker representative director on the Board of Coillte by SIPTU, and a recommendation for his appointment was made by the chairperson of the board of Coillte. Minister Healy-Rae said: 'As the state forestry company, Coillte is instrumental in the commercial production of Irish home-grown timber. 'Timber is a natural and renewable product and has a role in storing carbon and removing carbon from the atmosphere, thereby contributing directly to our ambitious climate action targets. 'In addition, our public forest estate provides natural habitats and offers opportunities for recreation. I wish the new appointees and the entire board well in its endeavours,' the minister added.
