Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I genuinely think that we are at one on all this. It is the Government's interest to ensure that all information is published. Anyone objectively examining how we went about our business in respect of undertaking consultation on the national marine planning framework right around the country will see that it was all about ensuring transparency and openness. It involved going into fishing villages, working with communities and trying to get their views. All the meetings that I had the privilege of chairing online were concerned with enabling transparency and openness and with trying to bring as many people on board as possible in that regard. We will continue to do that.

Regarding what Deputy Boyd Barrett said, we are happy to work with him on amendments, such as those he referred to, through to Report Stage. We want to make this the best legislation we can. Turning to what Deputy Cian O’Callaghan said, the marine spatial planning data tool is a portal and it is possible to see immediately how amendments like this can be counterproductive. As I said, we want to future-proof the legislation. It is the practice of the Government and of my Department to publish all these items on our websites. We encourage and we will be after public bodies to do the same. We have no issue with that.