Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

This group of amendments relate to environmental impact assessments and appropriate screening. I think I have one missing but I will see how it goes. I agree that all environmental considerations must be taken into account in licensing forestry operations. To this end, all forestry licensing decisions must take account of all EU environmental directives that exist and must be in full compliance with all appropriate assessment and environmental impact assessment, EIA, requirements. In making determinations on licences, the forestry appeals committee determines that no errors were made in issuing the licence in question. It does not function as another licensing body.

Reference is made in one amendment to the water framework directive and this has been transposed into Irish law by means of a series of regulations. In these regulations, it is prescribed that, in addition to specific duties for particular public authorities, there is a general duty for all public authorities to exercise their functions in a manner that is consistent with the provisions of the directive and which achieves or promotes compliance with the requirements of the directive. This ruling applies no less to the forestry appeals committee.

There is no requirement to introduce regulations in this matter through these amendments. Provisions are already included in this Bill according to which the forestry appeals committee can decide to undertake a screening for appropriate assessment or EIA. As such, these amendments add nothing further to the Bill and I will not accept them.