Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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I move amendment No. 25:

In page 23, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “(c) the representations of fishing representative bodies and coastal community groups given to the Minister pursuant to subsection (5)(b);”.

The Minister of State may be unable to accept this amendment for technical reasons but it is tabled for the purposes of raising the matter and making the case to have the maximum level of involvement of coastal communities and fishing representatives.

I have a broader set of questions on this section. While there is some provision for public consultation, it is not clear from the provisions of this section what the length of time, depth or scale of that consultation will be. I have had concerns in this area about the absence of consultation with prescribed bodies.

I am not looking for the Minister of State to support this amendment, because I know that will not be the advice from his officials, but I am asking what reassurance he can give us, both in terms of the intention of the Government but also the subsequent regulations, to ensure we can have the most appropriate period of time for public consultation in respect of this as well as the direct involvement of key stakeholders. This amendment refers to "fishing representative bodies and coastal community groups". My earlier amendment on prescribed bodies and environmental NGOs is equally appropriate here.