Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. The onus is on us as legislators to get the Bill right and to listen attentively to all sides of the argument. I am conscious of the importance of forestry to the west, particularly the south west, where there is a great deal of marginal land with no prospect of an income other than from forestry. It is of benefit to local communities and the farmers themselves. The figure of 16,000 people employed in the sector has been disputed, but that is a side argument and does not matter. The sector creates employment and is of significant benefit to rural, marginal land communities.

Without going through the Bill in great detail, I have a number of concerns. The witnesses have articulated their positions and broken them down well in their presentations. For someone from that background, it is difficult seeing challenges being created for people who are trying to marry environmental concerns with generating an economy. It is a question of a happy medium. No one involved in the industry is deliberately trying to damage the environment, but something must be in place to help people when making decisions. When they go out of their way to protect the environment, it should not be at a loss to their incomes. This is a major problem for those in the private forestry sector.

I also have concerns about the powers that the Bill gives the as-yet-unspecified people who will police it. Those persons will enter people's property and land without warrants. They can walk in off the road and make a determination that will have considerable financial implications for people in the industry.

Ms Murray made reference to burning and other forms of vegetation removal. I grew up in an area where we do it every year. It is necessary, but it is controlled. I would assume Ms Murray would have no problem when it is controlled.