Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

In one way it would be lovely for the native Irish pine to get its own recognition and not just to be treated as a subsection of the Scots pine, but I am also pleased that it is covered. There is a valid point that we do not want to see all pines in any of the plantings, and that is the case with the restriction of 25% that is set out in section 9(a)(b). There would not be more than 25% pines, so it is good that it is covered by that as well as it being good that it can be included.

I am glad about what the Minister said about hawthorn but we will all be watching the regulations like hawks in relation to the question of biodiversity and the planting and ecosystem context, so it is not just about trees or particular trees. The question of how shrubs get planted will be really important. The devil will very much be in the detail of the regulations so that we do not have anything that incentivises the removal of existing biodiversity. That will be crucial. In that context, I will not press the amendment, but I will look with some interest at the regulations.