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

Section 11(a) requires the Minister to have regard to the social, economic and environmental functions of forests. To list all of the functions of forests in detail in the Bill, including the visual and noise abatement impacts, could lessen the importance of other environmental functions not mentioned. The terminology "environmental functions of forestry" can include landscape and noise abatement, where appropriate. Furthermore, if an application requires the submission of an environmental impact assessment as described in section 11(d), a wide range of environmental factors must be considered. Therefore, I do not accept the amendment.