499. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a forestry application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47742/19]

Applications for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme for the reference numbers provided, were submitted by the registered forester and acknowledged in March, 2019. Afforestation licence approvals for both applications issued to the applicant and their registered forester in August.

They were both appealed to the Forestry Appeals Committee, which is independent of my Department. The licences are currently suspended pending the outcomes of the appeals.