Local Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny says his bill to make large forestry plantations subject to planning permission is still vital despite a new Forestry Bill approved at the end of last month.
The new regulations approved in recent weeks make it necessary for licenses to be held by someone who wants to plant land, but the Sligo/Leitrim and north Roscommon TD says that doesn't provide any real safeguard.
Deputy Kenny first introduced his bill on planning applications for forestry two years ago, and it's due to go to second stage this evening.
His call is for any plantation over 5 hectares or 12 acres, to be subject to planning because of the impact it could have on people close by.
He says while the Department of Agriculture will say that licenses are enough to regulate forestry planting, this is not the case at all, and local authorities need to be able to assess its impact like any other major development.
