Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State's assertion that this burden would only be in the case of an illegal felling. That is a very positive step, but amendments would have to be introduced on Report Stage to make that clearer, because at the moment, the Minister can, following an application under the relevant statutory provisions, grant a licence as appropriate, with or without conditions. A condition could be a replanting. Section 25(9) refers to trees that have been felled or otherwise removed without a licence.