John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

The principal features will be simpler and streamlined felling licensing, formal structures for forest management, a statutory basis for forestry guidelines and changes in land use from forestry to other sustainable uses. An appeals mechanism will be put in place for the first time and forest owners will be protected. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle and I had issues in that respect in the past where adjacent developments took place and forests were felled without any contact from the Department. Forests will be protected through measures on disease-free status and land acquisition. The Minister will have an opportunity to grant compensation if she so wishes.

In my former role as Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, I established the wide-ranging industrial liaison group. It was a difficult task to persuade the group to convene initially. The Minister of State, Deputy Wallace, has continued this dialogue and she has reached the stage at which the heads of the Bill have been prepared and are ready to go before the Government early in the new year. The Bill will reflect the views of all the stakeholders.

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