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

I understand what the Deputy is saying. During our discussions on the Bill, I looked at the council planning permission model. We discussed it at length with the stakeholders and the best we could do is bring it to where it is now. To allow the forestry service to deal with this and to give it time to carry out consultation, it needs a considerable period of time. We included a provision that means the licence applies for ten years. In response, the charter of rights is being redrawn.

We could have a felling licence issue included in the farmer's charter of rights and this will be dealt with over the next months. I give a commitment that I will include it in the charter of rights if that would be helpful. I understand the Deputy's point. However, in my view, taking everything into consideration, the time period stipulated was as good as what we could achieve.

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