Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Senator Ruane has set out the concerns we have around fees and the requirement under the Aarhus Convention for them not to be prohibitively expensive. We are not aware of what the fee will be. If it is to be aligned with the planning process, starting at €220, the cost would accumulate very quickly. Appeals on forestry are very different from appeals on planning permission and the costs can quickly add up. That point was made on Second Stage on Wednesday and I am reiterating it today. We do not want any set of fees to be prohibitive of accessing justice.

I would particularly like to make a point on amendment No. 81, which is around the role of environmental bodies and decision-making. I think everyone would agree that the environmental NGO sector in this country has done incredible work carrying out the job the State should be doing in upholding our obligations under environmental law. Given the situation with Covid, every charity, NGO and organisation is crippled in terms of finances and membership fees. I ask that the Minister of State give due consideration to the exemption of environmental NGOs from the fees process. I am sure nobody in this House would say that environmental NGOs are putting in appeals of a vexatious nature. They are fulfilling a very important role and are hard pressed, especially at the time of Covid, and having to lay off staff. I ask that the Minister of State as a Green Party Senator give due consideration to an exemption from fees for environmental NGOs.