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[ChuckMcB]

So does this mean that we're all going to be breaking the law now for even small things???

As RedLeader says, the new byelaw ("The Forestry Land Byelaws (Northern Ireland) 2011") has not been passed and another draft has been requested by the Assembly.

[RedLeader]

I think the issue beneath the issue is really that people are apathetic because they think exactly this - what would you be doing in a forest after dark anyway. However, walking your dog after 4pm in winter would be illegal as would night orienteering or any games after dark, fishing would be out, even coming down off the Mournes to Newcastle once the sun had set would be illegal not to mention most obviously for us, all camping would be restricted to official campsites. All would incur a £300 fine.

Regardless of whether this is an issue that effects someone personally, we need to curb the Gov thinking it's alright to keep banning stuff without really legitimate reasons. Human beings need a bit of freedom and space.

I'm sure the dogging community is on tenterhooks.

[RedLeader]

Subject: Dobson welcomes climb down from DARD Minister over proposed forestry by-laws

TUESDAY 29TH NOVEMBER

 
RELEASE IMMEDIATE

 
Dobson welcomes climb down from DARD Minister over proposed forestry by-laws

 
Ulster Unionist Agriculture spokesperson, Jo-Anne Dobson has welcomed a climb down by the DARD Minister over a number of proposed forestry by-laws.

 
“I am sure that many people will be pleased to hear that the Minister has now decided to take a less draconian approach to implementing her forestry bye-laws, not least in relation to the ridiculous proposal to close forests between sunset and sunrise.’

 
“The Ulster Unionist Party and those others who had responded to the consultation had roundly criticised this proposal as being overly harsh and are therefore pleased that the Minister has taken on board our suggestions.’

 
“Just a few weeks ago we heard that a number of the proposals had been dropped by DARD following extensive and detailed responses to the consultation.  These included the totally impractical proposal to restrict fishing in forestry land.’

 
“However a number of areas which, despite receiving a significant number of objections remain under consideration, including the prohibitive proposal to ban cycling in forests, other than in designated areas and the strict proposal on the lighting of a fire or stove in a forest.’

 
“It appears that decisions on these and other outstanding issues are not now be taken until into the new year – we await the Ministers proposals with interest.’

 
ENDS

[ChuckMcB]

Sorry, got to call BS on that press release.

Why would Jo-Anne Dobson say the DARD Minister "climb(ed) down" when the record shows that the DARD Minister was told by the committee that they had "concerns about the restrictive, rather than the permissive, tone of the proposed Bye-Laws". So the DARD Minister was told to go away and make the new byelaws 'sound' nicer, nothing about changing the laws it's going to enforce.

6. Presentation - DARD – Forestry Land Byelaws

The following officials joined the meeting:

Mr Malcolm Beatty, DARD;
Mr Michael McCann, DARD;
Mr John Joe O'Boyle, DARD

The officials briefed the Committee and this was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: The Committee noted the responses submitted to the Forestry Bye-laws consultation and discussed the issues raised with the officials, including representations made by the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee. Members expressed concerns about the restrictive, rather than the permissive, tone of the proposed Bye-Laws. Members agreed that the Department should return to the Committee with a draft copy of the proposed bye-laws in due course.

3.41 pm Kieran McCarthy and William Irwin re-joined the meeting.
3.56 pm Dolores Kelly left the meeting.
4.01 pm Willie Clarke left the meeting.
4.16 pm Willie Clarke re-joined the meeting.

During this item Trevor Clarke Declared an Interest.

(source)

[DryBag]

because she has climbed down.

press release is to be released later today.

it's not as big a climbdown as I first thought though, relating mostly to the 'after dark' sections and leaving nearly everything else.


Here's what I got:
"It has been decided to relax the proposed restriction on night-time use by pedestrians to allow the continued use of forest roads and paths after dark.  A press release will be issued shortly and should be available on the website tomorrow."

[suspectmonkey]

You can watch Minister Michelle O'Neill discussing this during Question Time on the BBC Democracy Live page.  Thankfully the clip starts with the subject, so you don't have to go hunting for it!  Haven't had a chance to watch and digest it all yet, but will be back for a chat about it soon

[ChuckMcB]

All sounds very positive. Thanks for the info and video.

[whoRya]

Interesting to view that.  I just hope that whatever byelaws are introduced are also policed with common sense. 

I suppose what I mean is that should they come across some wee maggots trying to fell healthy trees for a large uncontrolled bonfire, that they take appropriate action.  However should they come across a hobby-interest group that has gathered some dead wood for a small fire, taking into account all reasonable precautions, that they are allowed to excercise discretion, giving advice if necessary.  The personnel should be trained with regards to making a risk assessment.

Lets face it, they will not, nor perhaps should they, make it explictly legal to light fires in forests however they should have the powers necessary to determine if action is necessary where the lighting of a fire is malicious or obviously careless.

[Ed]

Sorry for bringing an old thread back to life, but I was curious if anyone knew the current status of these proposals?

The last summary of this was that the first proposal was rejected and a new one was being drafted, is anyone aware of what happened to the new proposal?

[whoRya]

Good news on this.  It started out threatening to make it illegal to access forests after dark, now it is law that there is open access day and night!

Quote:
The public will now be able to exercise their public right of pedestrian access day or night unless the forest is closed for one of the reasons allowed in the byelaws.

new access regulations

[RedLeader]

Is this just back to how it was before or is this a more lax rule?

Good news on this.  It started out threatening to make it illegal to access forests after dark, now it is law that there is open access day and night!

Quote:
The public will now be able to exercise their public right of pedestrian access day or night unless the forest is closed for one of the reasons allowed in the byelaws.

new access regulations

[specimanYak]

Good news on this.  It started out threatening to make it illegal to access forests after dark, now it is law that there is open access day and night!

Quote:
The public will now be able to exercise their public right of pedestrian access day or night unless the forest is closed for one of the reasons allowed in the byelaws.

new access regulations

This is excellent news, the measures they were proposing were a bit draconian, glad to see they've made the right decision.

[LandyLiam]

I always had complete confidence that our authorities would make the right decision 

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