New law aims to clear forestry appeals backlog

New law aims to clear forestry appeals backlog

Pippa Hackett

Legislation aimed at clearing the backlog before the Forestry Appeals Committee has come into force.

The Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020, which was signed into law last Friday, was commenced on Tuesday and secondary legislation to give effect to it came into force yesterday.

The new law provides a legal basis for the Forestry Appeals Committee to introduce procedures that allow for the better management of the volume of appeals in the system.

Senator Pippa Hackett, minister of state for land use and biodiversity, said: “These new arrangements will put in place an improved licencing and appeal system which will be more fit for purpose and better serve all stakeholders.

“I am moving quickly now to further resource the Forestry Appeals Committee so that it can deal with the backlog of appeals, which will bring certainty to those awaiting the outcome of those appeals.”

Separate legislation to introduce fees for forestry applications, submissions and appeals is currently being considered by the Oireachtas.

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