103 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the main provisions in the proposed forestry Bill and when he expects to publish the heads of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22009/10]

The Government has approved the heads of the Forestry Bill, and discussions are continuing between my Department and the Office of the Attorney General with a view to finalizing the text. It would be my intention to introduce the Bill in the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible. The main features of the Bill will be to ensure that forestry developments are undertaken to the highest environmental standards; to amend the existing felling licence system; to provide a statutory basis for Forest Management Plans and Guidelines and to allow in exceptional circumstances change of land-use from forestry.