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

I move amendment No. 22:

In page 9, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following:“(2) The Minister has a duty to provide information to ensure the public and other authorities are regularly informed on the role and condition of forests as well as on all forestry activities.
(3) The Minister has a duty to ensure that all Irish citizens and environmental NGOs are entitled to participate in forestry planning and management at local and national level, ranging from public enquiries to environmental assessments and monitoring.”.

My amendment puts an obligation on the Minister to provide information to ensure local authorities are regularly informed on the applications for afforestation and so forth as well as a duty to ensure all Irish citizens and environmental NGOs are entitled to participate in forestry planning and management at local and national level. In my view if the local authorities and the people are involved from the very start of proposed forestry developments, it means we will not face challenges because from the outset the proposals will be transparent and upfront. This strengthens the Bill.