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

Amendments Nos. 16 and 27 are being addressed together as they both propose to insert a requirement that any regulation to introduce a scheme will be laid before and agreed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. My Department manages a wide range of schemes that provide support for landowners. These schemes are introduced in a manner which engages with stakeholders across the sector and the wider public.In advance of the development of this scheme, the Department will be undertaking an SEA, as I said earlier. This includes statutory requirements for the public to be able to participate in the process at specific stages to ensure there is transparency in the decision-making throughout the SEA process. The consultation process will engage with statutory authorities, outside bodies and the public. Members of the Oireachtas are also free to participate in this process to shape any future scheme. However, it is important to stress that in section 9(d) of the Bill there is a requirement on the Minister to provide, by regulation, for a scheme to facilitate the planting of native tree areas. This provides that the legislation to establish a scheme must be consistent with and based on the legislation adopted by the Oireachtas in the primary legislation being considered in this Bill. Therefore, I do not accept amendments Nos. 16 and 27.