Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Minister of State is aware that there has been only one instance of a licence not being granted. If, however, somebody is going to commit his or her land to forestry for life, he or she will want to have some certainty in respect of the matter. As I understand it, the grounds on which a licence may not be granted relate to the protection of the environment; the ensuring of good forestry practice; the preservation of amenities; public health or safety; protection from flooding; and preservation of water quality. These are pretty much all-encompassing in the context of forestry. If a licence is not granted on the basis of the reasons to which I refer, I understand that compensation will not be paid. Perhaps the Minister of State will clarify the position. In light of the fact that there has only been one occasion on which a licence has not been granted - the Minister of State may be aware of other instances - I do not understand why this section is being included in order to cover something which is unlikely to happen. I am of the opinion that the inclusion of the section will create doubt among members of the farming community, particularly if it is the case that someone might object to an area of forestry being cut down because he or she believes it to be an amenity. If a felling licence is refused in such circumstances, the land of the farmer involved will be covered in trees which he may have been hoping to use to fund his pension or develop his farm. He will be stuck with an area of forestry which he cannot fell and in respect of which he cannot maximise the return from his investment. The farmer in question will end up losing money and will not be compensated.