5. (1) Without prejudice to any other functions conferred on the Minister by this Act, the Minister shall have the following functions:

(a) to promote afforestation;

(b) to promote the development of forests and forest-related activities and industries in such a way that forests provide an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable yield of forest goods and services, while maintaining and enhancing their biological diversity;

(c) to promote good forest practice within the forestry and forestry-related sectors;

(d) to regulate and monitor forestry operations to ensure that forests are properly managed in accordance with this Act and good forest practice;

(e) to promote knowledge and awareness of forestry;

(f) to promote education and training in forestry and related matters;

(g) to promote research in forestry and related matters;

(h) to ensure that forests are protected against harmful pests, diseases and invasive species;

(i) to regulate the marketing of forest reproductive material and conserve the forest genetic resource;

(j) to collect and disseminate information and statistics on forests, forestry and forest-based industry;

(k) to promote the development and marketing of a quality-based forest industry sector;

(l) to promote the production and use of timber;

(m) to promote the development of non-timber forest products;

(n) to promote and monitor the protection and enhancement of water quality in all aspects of forestry, including ensuring that forestry operations and forest-based activities regulated under this Act are compatible with the requirements of Directive No. 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 ¹ on water policy;

(o) to promote and encourage the development of forests for the purposes of biodiversity, public amenity and recreation;

(p) in consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, to promote and monitor the use of forests in carbon sequestration.

(2) In performing any relevant function under this Act, the Minister shall have regard to, in addition to any other material matter, the policy of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government on climate change.