Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2013
329. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the fact that the fines associated with felling a tree without a licence or in contravention of a condition of the licence are excessive for the type of misconduct, if the fines will be reduced significantly to reflect the offence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43180/13]
View answerI assume that the Deputy is referring to the provisions of the Forestry Bill 2013. As the Deputy will appreciate it is important that any penalty for illegal activity such as illegal felling be sufficiently dissuasive, whilst proportionate, to deter any potential illegal actions. It should be noted that a penalty will only be imposed on a person following a conviction for an offence by the Courts and it will be a matter for the Courts to decide on the level of the appropriate penalty.
The Deputy will also be aware that in relation to minor offences relating to unlicensed felling the Bill provides for Fixed Penalty Notices. These will operate in a similar fashion to speeding fines and will allow minor offences to be dealt with without the offender being taken to Court, while also ensuring that illegally felled areas are replanted.
