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The much anticipated agriculture appeals (amendment) bill has been fast-tracked in order to deal with the backlog in approval for forestry applications.
The Dáil Business Committee has decided to waive pre-legislative scrutiny to allow the new legislation to be debated in Seanad Éireann next week, with plans under way for it to be considered by Dáil Éireann the following week.
On average, 24 forestry appeal applications are submitted each month, with just seven being decided upon, resulting in a two-year delay on average.
Threatening jobs
Commenting on the development, independent TD Michael Lowry said: “Both sides are being left in a limbo for years, which it totally unacceptable.
“It’s neither fair on the applicant or people who may be genuinely affected by the application to plant or fell trees.”
There are currently over 500 forestry applications in the appeals stage. The independent TD suggested that the restriction in the availability of brash for the Renewable Heat Scheme will push up heating costs.
Lowry continued: “The current appeals process has been overwhelmed and cannot service anything near the volume of applications before it, which is now threatening jobs across the haulage and timber processing sectors.”
Timber shortage
It has been estimated that 1.1m cubic metres of logs are currently held up in appeals on felling licences and road permits. Currently, objections can be made by any member of the public free of charge
Earlier this week, independent TD Denis Naughten asked Minister of State Pippa Hackett about her plans for reducing the backlog created by the present appeals system.
“Under the present system, we have just one individual who has to consider each and every application. That backlog is leading to a situation where we do not have timber within the industry at present,” Naughten said.
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