Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I join Deputy Broughan in commending the Minister of State and his officials on bringing this legislation through. I add to his call for some review or clarification at a meeting of the joint committee. There has been a great deal of legislation in this area recently and perhaps it might have been possible to amalgamate some of those Bills.

I commend Deputy Broughan on his resilience and for agreeing with my deputy leader and me on the importance of a coastal zone management Bill. The Minister of State said he is considering a possible foreshore Bill to include new areas of responsibility. Some clarification would be useful in the debate on the subject. The fisheries management aspect is important given the difficulties with the European Commission and public controversy regarding breach of control procedures and quotas. New legislation is important to regulate and manage the fisheries quota system. I contend a certain amount of clarity is required as to the Government's position in the legislative process regarding the marine, such as the names of any new legislation. Many miscellaneous and different pieces of legislation have been passed in the marine area which makes it difficult to track and amend what has been proposed.

I commend the Minister of State and the previous Minister of State, Deputy Browne, on being willing to accept amendments. He has accepted a major Opposition amendment. Even a comma can make a difference in the High Court. I commend Deputies Broughan and Perry on their attention to detail in that regard.

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