Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators Boylan and Moynihan for the points they raised regarding amendment No. 7 and, by extension, amendment No. 8. The definitions outlined in amendments Nos. 7(a) and (b), and amendments Nos. 8(a) and (b) remove the provision to create narrow strips of native trees. Creating these areas in undisturbed water setbacks can be used to deliver meaningful ecosystem services that protect and enhance water quality and aquatic ecosystems. The creation of these permanent semi-natural landscape features alongside streams, rivers and lakes will protect and enhance water quality and aquatic habitats into the future. It is important that this provision is retained in the Bill.

Amendment No. 8(c), proposes to insert restrictions on harvesting for commercial purposes. However, the removal of some trees through thinning is considered good forest practice as it creates more growing space for the remaining trees. These small areas of native species lend themselves to small-scale harvesting methods. Landowners will need to apply for a tree felling licence before they undertake any tree felling.

These plantings will be permanent in nature and not just for the duration of the scheme. These areas will be afforded the protection under the Forestry Act 2014. Therefore, proposed amendment No. 8(d) is not required.

The planting of trees from a local native seed stock as detailed in amendment No. 8(e) is a worthy suggestion. However, experience with the native woodland scheme has shown that there is simply not enough seed supply to ensure the roll-out of a new scheme. Native tree seeds from different areas can also improve the resilience of forests and allows them to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change.

The composition of tree species to be planted as referred to in amendment No. 8(f) will be fully considered during the strategic environmental assessment, SEA, and appropriate assessment. In general, the planting of multiple species is good practice. The exact requirements will be set out in the scheme design and associated qualifying criteria.

Amendments Nos. 9, 10 and 11 propose to limit of the size of the proposed native tree areas that are less than 20 m by introducing the limit on the overall area that can be planted. Given the potential of these areas to protect and enhance water quality into the future, it is important to be ambitious in this regard. If a restriction is required, it will be identified during the SEA and appropriate assessment.

In relation to amendment No. 12, the maximum percentage of Scots pine to be included stands at 25%. The amount has been limited to ensure forests dominated by conifer species are not created. However, it is also important the amount of Scots pine that can be planted is not overly limited as this would remove the potential benefits afforded by the species. For example, on certain sites, Scots pine will provide shelter, assisting the nearby broadleaf trees to grow and develop. In advance of the implementation of the scheme, the Department will be undertaking a SEA, which the public will be able to participate in. Following the completion of the SEA and subject to its findings, my Department will be in a position to finalise a scheme and the associated qualifying criteria. This may result in the introduction of a level for Scots pine being less than 25%.

As to amendment No. 17 which proposes to add five additions to the areas which can be planted, subsections I, II, III and V have already been addressed in amendment No. 8. The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, did not accept the amendment. Subsection IV is new and will now be considered. The amendment proposes to add text to facilitate the inclusion of conditions with regard to appropriate stocking levels to the species proposed, soil types and characteristics of the location. These proposed conditions will be considered in the context of the scheme design and specifications. For these reasons, I am not accepting amendments Nos. 7 to 12, inclusive, and amendment No. 17.