Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The amendments in this group deal with issues such as fairness, wide access, non-inclusion and oral hearings. I agree there must be completely open and wide access to the review mechanism of the forestry appeals committee.That is why I have retained the provision that anyone dissatisfied with the decision on a licence may appeal to the FAC. I assure Members that any regulations or rules introduced will observe the principles of fair procedure and natural justice.

The committee itself is best placed to determine whether it is necessary to conduct an oral hearing to properly and fairly determine the appeal, and will have its own clear procedures governing the manner in which it will make that determination. Such procedures will have regard to fairness and natural justice, and matters relating to notice and notification of oral hearings will be dealt with by means of regulations. As I am satisfied that these amendments do not add to the Bill, I am not accepting them.