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

I thank the members for their comments. This grouping of amendments proposes revised considerations of the development of guidelines and directives and, as already stated by committee members in relation to the repetition, the plans prepared under this Bill are subject to all of the things set out in these amendments. What the amendments are attempting to achieve has already been achieved. The Bill is not a series of independent sections all of which need this level of technical drafting, rather it is a series of interconnected parts, each designed to supplement the other. One does not achieve compliance with any of the directives listed here by just liberally referencing each of them in various parts of the Bill. That is not how it works from a technical point of view. We must be sure that each part is, in and of itself, operable.

Amendment No. 58 sets out technically deficient considerations for the development of guidelines. The obligations set out would be almost impossible to comply with for the specific matters requiring direction or guidance. The obligations referenced are set out elsewhere in the Bill with regard to forward planning or compliance with environmental directives.

Amendment No. 59 relies on technically deficient section 6(3) proposed under amendment No. 33. Amendment No. 69 sets out technically deficient considerations for the development of directives that would, invariably, be impossible to comply with. Amendment No. 70 also relies on technically deficient section 6(3) proposed under amendment No. 33. I oppose these amendments.