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

During the consideration of an amendment proposed on Committee Stage by Deputy Boyd Barrett, I indicated that I would look again at this provision with a view to introducing flexibility and balanced representation on committees set up under the legislation. I believe my amendment achieves such flexibility. It allows for the appointment of people with the relevant expertise to a committee, having regard to the particular terms of reference of that committee. The advantage of this is obvious, allowing as it would for the utilisation of leading experts in the fields of interest which the committees have been established to examine or report upon. My amendment also acknowledges and has regard to the diverse nature of forestry and the different stakeholder interests ranging from the contractors, consultants and businesses that propagate, plant and fell trees, through to the sawmills that process the timber and the environmental non-governmental organisations whose objective is to protect the environment. It seeks to ensure these diverse interests and views are represented on such committees. It also recognises the need for gender balance in the composition of the committee. This is in line with the commitment given in the programme for Government and the national policy on gender equality that requires all public bodies to take due note of equality in carrying out their functions and to increasing the role of women in decision-making.

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