Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

This section needs some additional elements because it deals with protection of the forests. The Minister should have the authority to carry out ecological surveys of forests to ensure the ecological integrity of forests with a particular focus on ancient woodlands and native species. There should be a provision to allow citizens who are concerned about the ecological integrity of forests to petition the Minister for such surveys to be carried out if they are concerned that ancient woodlands, native species or biodiversity are being adversely impacted upon in any way. I am proposing an environmental protection measure and a public consultation measure.