Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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I know the Minister of State gave his response before we moved it but amendment No. 115 is about seeking to strengthen the language around our obligations under EU law. It is about ensuring we go further than simply not contravening EU law and directives such as the habitats and birds directives. We should have greater ambition than simply not to contravene. We should be ensuring our plans and policies are compatible and consistent with these directives and obligations. That is what amendments Nos. 115 and 116 seek to do. I do not understand why we are pursuing this approach, which I feel is cutting across a number of issues in this Bill. It is a minimalist approach. I do not think seeking that our plans are compatible and consistent is necessarily a best-in-class approach or anything like that. It is just a fairly basic legislative approach we should be seeking to take, rather than just saying we will not contravene EU law. I do not think that is too much to look for, expect or ask for. I appreciate the Minister of State has read out his response to that.

He may wish to comment further on why he will not take the approach that would ensure the Bill is compatible and consistent with the directive.