Danny Healy-Rae warns of stalled forestry felling licences
Danny Healy-Rae raised concerns about forestry felling licences, saying very few licences are being granted and local suppliers and workers are being hit. He said Munster Joinery employs 1,400 people on the Corkeri border and Kellys of Bally Desmond have not delivered timber since 9th of September because multiple felling licence applications remain ungranted.
Key claims
Healy-Rae highlighted problems with the forestry felling licence process, noting that very few licences were still being granted despite recent legislation. He said 27 felling licence applications connected to local suppliers have not been approved.
Impact on local industry
He said Munster Joinery employs 1,400 people on the Corkeri border and that Kellys of Bally Desmond have supplied timber to the plant for many years. Since the 9th of September last, Kellys have not brought timber into Munster Joinery because none of their 27 felling licence applications have been granted.
Specific licence delays cited
Healy-Rae pointed to particularly long delays, saying some applications date back to 2013 and that an honest man from Ratmore has been denied his applications since 2013. He questioned whether the forestry service was dragging its heels on processing licences.
Government response and legal context
He was thanked for raising the issue and noted that increasing forestry cover is a key part of the climate action strategy. He said the situation is being monitored, that some delays relate to court cases, and that the minister, described as committed to forestry and sustainable forestry, is working on a solution.
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I respectfully wish to highlight the problems with the forestry felling licences, and very few were still being granted despite the bill that was passed in the Dáil recently. Munster Joinery are employing 1,400 people on the Corkeri border and have been doing so for years. Kellys of Bally Desmond have been supplying the timber to their plant or to their operation there for many years. However, since the 9th of September last, Kellys haven't brought one sticky timber into Munster Joinery because they have 27 applications made for licences, felling licences, and none of them have been granted. One of these licences is going back to, applications are going back to 2013. A very honest man from Ratmore is being denied his applications since 2013. Thank you, Deputy. Are people dragging their heels? We're over time, Deputy. Are people dragging their heels in the forestry service? Deputy, please, just your cooperation. The question has been... Thank you, Deputy Collins and Hilly Ray for raising this important issue. A big part of our climate action strategy is to increase the amount of land that is under the cover of forestry. And that's not going to be possible if we're living in a country where it's virtually impossible to get a licence to plant or a licence to fell. And I know many people are experiencing that at the moment. It is something government is apprised of. It does relate to certain court cases. And I know Minister Hackett, who is totally committed to forestry and sustainable forestry, is working very hard in the solution. Thank you. Thank you.
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