Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I note that in section 48 the term "the national biodiversity plan" refers to the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017 to 2021, which was published by the Government on 5 October 2017. The Minister of State recently published the fourth national biodiversity action plan. I consider the reference in section 3 to be outdated. For this reason, I suggest that we insert this text in the section dealing with definitions.

There is probably nobody in the room who knows more about the national biodiversity action plan than the Minister of State. I accept his statement that he wants to check whether we are referring to this in the correct form.

My next amendment is amendment No. 135. As with the transport issue, I am trying to integrate this. My issue with transport was related to climate action and proper transport planning. This amendment relates to the other crisis we have, namely, biodiversity and how our planning system can impact biodiversity and nature.

Development and nature protection and restoration can co-exist. We talked about that co-existence of development and nature when we were doing the marine protected areas legislation as well. It is something we have overlooked in the past in planning. Nature protection, enhancement and restoration has often been something that has followed after the damage has been done rather than proactively asking how we would protect and look after nature, as well as allowing all the necessary development for housing, energy and transport. Amendment No. 135 starts with the national plan with is our national planning framework. Is it necessary and would it be helpful in section 19(2)(g) to add in "integrating the pursuit and achievement of the objectives of the National Biodiversity Action Plan into plan-led development in the State.”? That is under the objectives of the national planning framework. Will the Minister of State respond on that? Is the NPF the right place in which to put it? Again, this is the overarching planning framework for the country. It is probably not an implementation one; it is much more higher-level stuff. Will the Minister of State consider amendment No. 135 and see if that is the correct place to put it?