Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 September 2020
224. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration is being given to the reform of the Forestry #Appeals Committee in view of the crisis in the forestry industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24493/20]
View answer229. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider the allocation of additional resources to the Forestry Appeals Committee in view of the current crisis in the industry and the slow rate of appeals processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24514/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 229 together.
I recognise the difficulties that the delays to forestry licensing and forestry appeals are causing. The Government is committed to improvements to the licensing and appeals system as set out in the Programme for Government. It is very clear that the current system needs to be improved so that it can operate more efficiently.
The proposed Bill amending the Agriculture Appeals Act is designed to align forestry licensing appeals process with best practice in other appeals processes. For instance, it includes proposals for the appointment of Deputy Chairpersons and the creation of sub-divisions of the main Committee which will increase capacity to hold hearings. Certain other efficiencies in the operation of the committee are also proposed.
My Department has received almost 9,000 submissions in response to the publication of the draft Bill. The level of engagement with this legislation is very welcome. Early analysis by officials of my Department shows a significant majority of submissions received support the introduction of the Bill and the proposals therein. The careful examination of submissions is continuing ahead of publishing them on my Department's website. The submissions will inform the updated version of the Bill, which I will present to the House in the next fortnight subject to all procedures being complete.
Additional resources have previously been assigned to the FAC, including additional administrative resources and personnel with planning expertise, to assist with administering appeals. These will be added to shortly to ensure their readiness for the implementation of the Bill, subject to its passing in the Oireachtas.
I believe that the proposed Bill, along with our Project Plans for managing the licencing backlog, will greatly improve the overall system and will result in an increase in the number of licences available for planting, forest roads and felling.
