Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, I extend my sympathy to Deputy Boyd Barrett on the loss of his aunt. He was obviously close to her and I know he will miss her.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Forestry Bill 2013. The forestry sector plays an important role in our economy, particularly in rural areas. The fact that forestry cover nationally stands at 11% shows what an important national asset it is. It brings significant benefits, including rural employment and exports, and it is also of significant social, recreational and environmental value.

Almost half of our forestry is privately owned by farmers, and it is important that their voice is heard when finalising the Bill's details. I recently met an IFA delegation who expressed concerns about certain aspects of the Bill. It is widely acknowledged that the rules and regulations which govern the forestry industry need to be updated. The licensing system operates under the Forestry Act 1946. The legislation is almost 70 years old and is clearly no longer appropriate for a modern forestry sector.

There is also a need to reduce the level of red tape and bureaucracy that farmers face, but there are concerns that aspects of the Bill may have the opposite effect. I have been told that the fines associated with felling a tree without a licence or in contravention of a condition of a licence are excessive. There are times when, in the interest of safety, a tree may need to be cut urgently and it is felt that fines should be in line with the nature of the offence and take account of the circumstances involved.

I welcome the proposals to simplify the granting of a felling licence process by replacing the two existing licences with a single felling licence. The removal of the requirement for an application to be lodged at a Garda station is also a positive development. It will make the application process considerably easier for farmers and should also reduce the lengthy waiting times for a licence.

I also welcome the provision to allow farmers to remove up to 15 cu. m of wood for their own use in any 12 month period provided the trees are outside a forest. This would allow farmers to use their wood for their personal use. This is important for farmers in rural areas where wood is a vital fuel resource for many, particularly given the rising price of oil and heating costs.

There is concern, however, about the requirement that a person wishing to fell trees as part of good management practices, such as general thinning operations, will need to apply for a licence. I ask the Minister to consider amending this section to reduce the administrative burden on farmers. I also ask the Minister to take on board the concerns expressed by the farming community about the powers that are to be conferred on authorised officers under the Bill which far surpass the responsibilities of existing enforcement bodies and may act as a major disincentive for those considering forestry as a land use option. Similarly, there are serious concerns about the powers that are to be conferred on the Minister of the day, particularly on the function to compulsorily purchase land suitable for forestry.

The forestry sector has the potential to make a significant contribution to our economic recovery if the necessary supports are provided. There is huge demand for timber globally, and we need to ensure Ireland is well placed to take advantage of this growing demand. I therefore ask that consideration be given to setting a goal for timber production which could act as a similar template to Food Harvest 2020 for the agrifood industry.

I commend the Minister on treating this matter as a priority and on bringing this legislation before the House. However, if we are to realise the potential of the forestry sector, it is important we get the Bill right. I ask the Minister to take account of the concerns I have outlined and consult the farming community before finalising the legislation.

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