Concern over licence for Silvergrove Wood

Concern at the decision by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to issue a licence for the removal of parts of Silvergrove Wood was raised in the Dáil by Fianna Fáil Deputy Aindrias Moynihan.

“The Programme for Government contains a commitment to ensure Ireland’s green isle image informs Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine policy,” he said.

“It also includes commitments on afforestation and recognising its carbon sink value. However, people in the Toon Valley near Macroom are struggling to come to terms with how those commitments fit with the issuing by the Department of a licence.”

While Silvergrove Wood is not part of the Gearagh Special Area of Conservation, Deputy Moynihan said it is just upstream from it and is subject to an application for SAC status.

“One would have expected