Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I refer to Deputy Boyd Barrett's question about the ecological survey. The European Communities Forest Consent and Assessment Regulations 2010 is the established framework. It is the responsibility of the inspectors to decide on the necessity for an ecological survey. It is not possible for a citizen to decide he or she wants an ecological survey because this would make the process very cumbersome. The Bill is designed to encourage people to work in forestry.

The answer to that is "Yes".

I take the point with regard to the €500. In our consultations with those in the industry, however, they made a very strong case for the reduction. I made by decision on the matter in view of what they stated and by virtue of the fact that the case they made stood up to scrutiny.