Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the witnesses for coming from various bodies, and in particular Ms Davidson, for being with us. We met in Wales when I spent quite a number of hours speaking to Sophie Howe, who was then the Commissioner for Future Generations in Wales. She is a very energetic and articulate person. I believe she held the role from 2016 to 2023. Derek Walker is now in the role. I support what Deputy Ó Cathasaigh is trying to do. It is sensible of him not to try to draft a Bill to produce what the end product will be and, instead, to limit the ambition for now and put in place a process that will then put something comprehensive in place which, hopefully, all parties can support. This should not be seen as a Government versus Opposition issue. It is an entity which, I hope, will be in place for many future governments, made up of many colours, shapes, parties and individuals. This is the right approach even though, like Deputy Ó Cathasaigh, I am impatient to get on with it rather than having a long drawn-out process.

I have number of comments, if I may. I am not as pessimistic for the future as Senator Clonan.