Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is extremely relevant. One of the expertises sought in this group of amendments is expertise in environmental legislation. Both European and national courts have found that Ireland was not compatible in its licensing processes. That was admitted in the Oireachtas by the former Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Calleary. He said that the EU had required Ireland to put new, appropriate assessment procedures in place for forestry licensing. In July this year the Minister said that Ireland had been told that it did not have proper processes in place in respect of appropriate assessments in forestry licensing. He said that in the Dáil. It is clear and it is on the record.

Last Tuesday the Minister of State told us that the crisis we have been hearing about was not so bad before July. Until July about 30% of applications were being appealed but that has now risen to 100%. I would respectfully suggest that we have seen a massive increase in appeals in the last couple of months because Ireland is acknowledged as not having a proper process in place. There are measures and amendments to be discussed later which might allow us to have a better process. Nobody is saying that we must stop forestry. What people are saying is that we must do it right. This amendment and the idea of having people with real expertise in environmental legislation and in biodiversity would move us forward substantially.

It should be noted there have been no amendments from this side of the House on subdivisions. Nobody has objected to the subdivisions or to fewer numbers being involved. There are no amendments in respect of the key efficiency measures proposed in the Bill which will speed up the process, including multiple hearings happening at the same time, deputy chairs and chairs both functioning, lower numbers and so on. The amendments that are being put forward are qualitative amendments around the quality of the process and I hope the Minister of State can accept them.