526 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to initiate a review of the Forestry Acts and programmes to reflect sustainable social and environmental objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28580/08]
View answerThe review of the main elements of the 1946 Forestry Act has now been completed and draft Heads of a Forestry Bill have been prepared. The draft Scheme of the Forest Bill, along with the Screening Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) and Memorandum for Government have been prepared and will be submitted to Government shortly for approval to send to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting. Any additional amendments of existing forestry legislation will be considered subsequently.
