Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

In preparing and debating amendments, there is a general expectation that if the amendment improves the legislation, it will be accepted. In my time in the House, fewer than half a dozen Opposition amendments have been accepted, demonstrating how the Government ignores the opportunity to improve legislation.

In this legislation, the Government is running roughshod not just over Opposition Deputies or local authorities but communities. This legislation is a retrograde step. Even simple amendments that would include ecological considerations have been brushed aside as the Government tries to rush through a Bill that will result in a development free for all that will take years to address. It is an outrage that the Government is getting away with this on the last few days of a Dáil session instead of giving us the proper opportunity to discuss this legislation in detail and highlight all of its faults.

There are many amendments and I would like to give other Deputies a chance to speak on them but I am disgusted with this legislation.

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