Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 68:

In page 25, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “(6) The Minister, in making policy directives under this section, shall be limited to matters concerned with environmental conservation or environmental protection of marine biodiversity and avian species.”.

The Minister of State's officials probably told him privately that this was a cheeky amendment and we know he will not accept it. I suspect he will argue that it is far too restrictive, but it has a tactical purpose in this discussion. Many of us are trying to understand what the scope of the policy directives is and what kinds of matter they would include. The purpose of tabling this amendment is to afford the Minister of State the opportunity to give the committee, inasmuch as he can, a general list of the types of area such directives could include. Obviously, directives will not just deal with issues of environmental protection, marine biodiversity and avian species. Giving us as much clarity as possible in this regard would be helpful. If I am satisfied with the answer, I might buy the Minister of State a second pint and withdraw the amendment.