Results 4,741-4,760 of 5,311 for speaker:Tom Hayes

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: There is no difficulty in that regard. It is currently being enforced without any problems arising.

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: I am taking amendments Nos. 4, 5, 8 and 16a together. I addressed the proposed amendments Nos. 4, 5 and 8 in a comprehensive manner on Committee Stage. The Government is totally committed to the advancement of the principle of sustainable development in Ireland. In 2012 my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, published Our...

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: The process in which we are involved is Forest Europe. We are trying to develop a forestry business that is commercially viable. This is important for our country. We will take all environmental issues on board, but Forest Europe is the way we will do that in concert with other European countries.

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: Regarding amendment No. 6, I remind Deputies that the Government introduced an amendment to section 5(l) on Committee Stage, which reads "to promote the production and use of timber". Therefore, this issue has been adequately addressed. As regards amendments Nos. 14 and 68, section 5 already provides to the Minister a number of promotional functions in facilitating the development of...

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: In amendment No. 9, the Deputy is correct to highlight the potential harmful effect of airborne pollution on forests and other habitats. However, responsibility for controlling and monitoring pollution, including airborne pollution, and ensuring Ireland is protected from its harmful effects rests with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, partially via the...

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: I agree with the Deputy that we need joined-up thinking. It is important to have it across Departments. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the county councils have their responsibilities and whether it is in regard to pollution or whatever, responsibility for it rests with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Forest...

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: The substitution of the word "ensuring" with "so as to ensure" is simply a rewording of the existing text.

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: Yes, exactly. It does not alter the intention of the provision. The existing text already obliges the Minister to ensure that forestry operations and activities that are regulated under the Bill are compatible with the water framework directive. I do not believe that this amendment is necessary and I cannot therefore accept it.

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: I welcome Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett's positive attitude to forestry. However, that is a debate for the future and I would welcome that discussion. The benefits of forestry are not known. Many people do not appreciate forestry until such time as they come to understand the business of forestry, trees and the environment. I would welcome a debate or legislation in this area in the future....

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: I do not see the need for amendments Nos. 15, 16 and 21. Consequently, I do not propose to accept them. There is already legislation in place that entitles citizens to information on forestry and to participate in forestry planning. I remind the Deputies that my Department, like all other Departments, is a public body that allows access to information on the environmental regulation, which...

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: Yes.

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: I move amendment No. 16a:In page 8, after line 35, to insert the following:“(2) In performing any relevant function under this Act, the Minister shall have regard to, in addition to any other material matter, the policy of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government on climate change.”.

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: I move amendment No. 16b:In page 9, line 6, to delete “and” and substitute the following:“(ii) afforestation, (iii) forest road works, and”.

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: I move amendment No. 16c:In page 9, line 10, to delete “, loans, or both,”.These amendments are technical changes that remove the reference to loans in the Bill. I do not believe that their removal will impact negatively on the Minister's powers to regulate for forestry. Amendment No. 68aempowers the Minister to make regulations governing the operation of the Department's...

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act empowers the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to issue guidelines to planning authorities, who must have regard to these guidelines in the performance of their functions. I assume the intention of the amendment is to empower the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to issue binding requirements on those...

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: I stated previously on Committee Stage, and I have received legal advice, that section 6(e) does not provide the Minister with the power to compulsorily purchase land. This remains the position and I cannot accept the amendment. The term used in the subsection, "or otherwise acquired", is sufficiently broad to cater for any type of acquisition, including by lease, other than by compulsory...

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: To clarify, there was an issue on Committee Stage relating to compulsory purchase of land. The Deputies were seeking a statement from me that it does not allow the Minister to do that.

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: I do not have the power to compulsorily purchase land.

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: That was a concern, which is why the amendment was tabled. Basically, we do not need that power. Deputy Ferris raised the issue.

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: I move amendment No. 21a:In page 9, line 30, to delete “or loan”.