Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I am not clear from the legislation as to how far from real legislation the marine planning guidelines could go, but if we are basing an assessment on other planning legislation and guidelines for land use, we know that planning guidelines can be very far-reaching. The Minister can be far-reaching in what he can do within the guidelines. There are not sufficient limitations. Public consultation would be one measure to provide a check or balance, allowing public input into, and scrutiny over, what a Minister might do under these guidelines. I would be interested to hear what the Minister of State has to say about that.

If we do not plan properly and if the Minister is drawing up and issuing guidelines without consulting people, consider the damage that could be done to our cetaceans. Ireland has 25 species of cetaceans, nearly one third of the total number of those species in the world. That is highly significant

When it comes to climate change, as I am sure members are aware, one whale is worth the equivalent of thousands of trees in terms of carbon sequestration, as well as the carbon they take out of the atmosphere for hundreds of centuries. I mention this because if the Minister is drawing up and issuing guidelines, that could have far-reaching consequences on marine development and could have an impact on our cetaceans, on our biodiversity in the marine and on carbon sequestration in the marine from marine life. At a minimum, having public consultation as part of that process gives some level of a check and balance regarding Ministerial guidelines. I would be interested to hear what the Minister of State has to say on that.