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

It is good that there will be a forestry appeals committee. However, independence and composition are two important considerations in that regard. In light of what the Minister of State just said and in view of what is concerned in the amendment, I am of the view that it should be stipulated that stakeholders should be involved. Given that we are dealing with issues which affect farmers, they should be represented. In addition and given that there are also issues relating to the environment involved here, why is it not stipulated that environmental experts should serve on the appeals committee? There are probably other stakeholders who should also be involved. The Minister should not have a free hand. What is proposed somewhat resembles an insider appeals mechanism. In other words, the appeals committee will comprise individuals similar to those who will make the decisions in the first instance. That would not be great.