Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not disagree with my colleagues on the other side of the House on this particular issue. I do not see what harm there would be in laying the plans before the Houses of the Oireachtas, if for no other reason than to keep the issue on the agenda. Senator Barrett is quite right when he speaks of the proud history of this House on environmental issues. In particular, we think of the former Senator, the late Éamon de Buitléar, for example. Other Senators appointed by previous taoisigh definitely brought an environmental aspect to the House. Current colleagues to do so include Senator Mac Conghail and Senator van Turnhout, who tabled amendments on another Bill which were accepted this morning. There is a logic to the amendment and I am interested to know why the Minister of State will not agree to this proposal. Too much is laid in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas. It should come to this House, if only for noting, and perhaps even without debate. There would be a value in it.

We now have pre-legislative scrutiny in Oireachtas committees. This morning the pre-legislative process for the criminal justice (sexual offences) Bill took place at the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality where eight or nine different bodies gave their views. I have no doubt the committee will be influenced by some of the material identified during the course of that process. In other jurisdictions, such as Germany, this happens all the time. It moves from an Executive-led politics to, at least, a coexistence between the Executive and Parliament. We see the role of the Commission in terms of the European Parliament and the ever-increasing number of checks and balances in the past couple of treaties. There is consensus across the political divide on this issue.

I am filling in today for Senator Cáit Keane, our spokesperson on the environment, who is not in a position to attend. I know that this is an issue that has been brought to her attention by people interested in the area. I am interested in hearing why we do not want this to occur and what are the objections.