Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Amendments Nos. 7 and 8, which address a similar theme, have been ruled out of order, but much of what they sought is covered by amendments Nos. 3 and 5.

I am glad the Minister of State accepted amendment No. 1. I hope that, throughout the debate, she will be able to accept other amendments that progress the Bill. The amendments tabled on this section are such amendments. Members spoke about being serious about afforestation. It would be disingenuous to suggest that there are those of us who are in favour forestation and those who are not. Every Senator who is present, contributing to the debate and tabling amendments is serious about afforestation. Being serious about afforestation means treating it as a serious issue with serious nuances. For example, a figure of 440 million trees has been mentioned. I want to see 440 million trees, but it was acknowledged at the Joint Committee on Climate Action that, while a tree might be used for building, burning as fuel, sequestering carbon or serving a biodiversity process, the same tree is not going to do all of those things. This is about taking seriously the balance, the purposes involved and the question of how to ensure that our afforestation process and policy genuinely serve us.

As part of that, it is vital that ministerial appointments to the forestry appeals committee and, if amendments Nos. 95 and 97 are accepted, the future review of existing appointments to it should ensure that there are persons with the expertise to deal with the serious and complex issues of forestry.For example, we should take account of the fact that we have a twin crisis in terms of climate change and biodiversity and that our strategies in respect of one should also address the other. We must consider our water quality directives and the issues around all of the birds and habitats directives. It is really important to set the record straight here, as was said by Senator Chambers earlier. It is to be hoped that if we get things right within the system, there will be fewer appeals. That is really important. I hope the Minister of State will apply the principles that are in these amendments not only to the forestry appeals committee but also to the licensing process. We should be really clear about why we are in this situation and why we are here today. The reason is that Ireland was not serious about its afforestation policy. The European Court of Justice, the High Court and others-----