Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief. Not to make another excuse, but I must appear in the Seanad. I hope there will be other members contributing. There may be some online.

I welcome the officials. This is important legislation. From a general perusal of the scheme, it is encouraging and positive. I will ask a few questions while poddling around the various heads. The first head that comes to mind is head 6, which deals with the ocean environment policy statement. The head reads:

(1) The Minister shall publish on a government website an Ocean Environment Policy Statement.

(2) The purpose of the Ocean Environment Policy Statement shall be to set priorities for protection of the marine environment including priorities and targets for the designation of Marine Protected Areas [which we are familiar with]

There is the standard language in terms of acknowledging national, European and international laws and treaties. That is a given. Perhaps I am wrong, so correct me if I am, but I am somewhat surprised by the statement that the "draft Ocean Environment Policy shall be available for public consultation for a period of four weeks". Is that the proposal?