Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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907. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the crisis in the forestry industry due to the backlog of cases in the forestry appeals systems. [24163/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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There is a commitment under the Programme for Government to review the forestry appeals process to ensure that it is aligned with other comparable appeals processes. That is why a draft amendment to the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001 is being introduced. The public consultation period for the draft Bill recently closed, with almost 9,000 submissions received. These submissions will inform the updated version of the Bill which will be presented to the Oireachtas very shortly. The introduction of these amendments will be accompanied by an on-line portal on which forestry licence applications and site details will be easily accessible to any interested party. I am satisfied that the amendments being introduced in the Bill will make the Appeals system more efficient, and significantly increase the rate at which appeals can be heard.

I am more than aware that the current situation is challenging, but it is a temporary disruption which, when resolved, will make for a better, more sustainable and fit-for-purpose forestry licensing system for many years to come.