Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am going to speak on my amendment in this grouping, which is amendment No. 21. It is the first time I have spoken on this legislation. I echo all the concerns raised in the last few hours regarding the amendments and the process itself. Regarding this proposed amendment to section 3 of the Bill, it is similar to amendments Nos. 19 and 20. There is a proposal to delete an important part of the Agricultural Appeals Act 2001 which allows for decisions of the forestry appeals committee to be appealed to the High Court on a point of law, if required. I am always wary of any attempts to remove the chance for higher legal recourse from Irish citizens engaged in any State planning process, but particularly in an area as important as forestry and the management of our shared land and resources. Access to justice and legal recourse is a human right and one we should safeguard, promote and strengthen rather than remove.

If a point of law needs to be clarified in a decision of the appeals committee, especially when the express aim of this legislation is to increase the speed at which appeal decisions are arrived at, it would be important for an appellant to at least have the option to seek review of the decision reached by the appeals committee in the High Court. I am concerned by the infringement of that option by the provision to delete this important access to justice and I would like to hear the Minister of State's rationale for its necessity.