Rebecca Moynihan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I support the amendment. Having a Bill that is about one thing and then including an important area around forestry at the last minute is not a good way to do business. The Environmental Pillar has been in touch with all Senators about this. I do not think anybody is doubting the bona fides of the Minister of State, Deputy Hackett. However, when we are drafting legislation, are we doing so for whatever Minister can come in and for whatever eventuality arises?

The Environmental Pillar has major concerns about unlicensed areas essentially being used for commercial purposes and has stated the Bill does nothing to support native tree planting or prevent foreign seed stock from coming in or both. In the letter it sent to us, the organisation states the right tree in the right place under the right management can benefit climate, but potentially well-meaning policies such as the forestry provisions can have negative consequences. It goes on to state that unless there are sufficient controls in place, which is what the amendment seeks to do, ensuring afforestation happens in the right places on the right scale may be difficult.I would ask the Minister if State if he would consider taking into account Senator Higgins's amendments. They are very reasonable, for example, keeping an eye on the ministerial secondary legislation that is being delegated by the forestry section in the Bill.