Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 13:

In page 12, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following:"(iv) an assessment of the visual impact of woodlands;
(v) an assessment of the noise abatement impact of woodlands;".

The role of the Minister in safeguarding the environment could nearly be an entire Statute Book in itself, because there are so many duties imposed on him or her.

On the visual impact of woodlands, poems are written by fools like me, but only God can make a tree. Noise abatement is also a notable new feature of woodlands, particularly since we constructed the motorways. The county councils and, subsequently, the National Roads Authority, NRA, planted trees alongside them. I would like such trees to be protected in the assessment because they peform a valuable function and were planted for a good reason. Kildare County Council had its own plantation which was used to supply trees along the motorways in that county before they became the responsibility of the NRA.

In respect of the section, some environmentalists have expressed concern that the screening or first stage is not sufficiently thorough. We should also take account of biodiversity and broadleaf trees. Would it be preferable to carry out a more thorough environmental impact assessment at an earlier stage and is the assessment comprehensive enough? I have suggested the noise and visual aspects as two aspects worth considering. My intention is to assist the Minister of State in his duty of safeguarding the environment, which is the subject of section 11.