Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 14:

In page 13, line 7, to delete “6 months” and substitute “1 month”.

This amendment deals with the case of a forest being destroyed or removed, which is a very serious matter. We are all agreed in this House that if a forest is removed by any means, including fire or natural causes, the owners should notify the Minister in writing of the particulars of the destruction or removal, including the area, location and extent of destruction or removal. I would prefer the Minister to have this information within one month rather than six. We do not want people to wander into the forestry office to say they destroyed a forest five or six months ago. It is a matter that requires an urgent response and that is the spirit in which the amendment is proposed.