Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Whatever about Scottish legislation, the legislation before us does not set a good precedent. The Minister should reflect seriously on this, as it will be too late to reflect on it in the coming days or after 9.30 p.m.

Amendment No. 77 tries to strengthen the need for the board to seek further information. This is in keeping with the amendment which has just been defeated which proposed to provide for public notice in this regard. It tried to involve the public to ensure the broadest group possible would be able to make submissions and inform the board of their opinions but that opportunity has been squeezed out, as have the powers of local authorities. The legislation is extremely retrograde. Its entire motivation is to completely stamp out the objections of communities such as Rossport, Carranstown, Ringaskiddy and Poolbeg. While communities do not appreciate the import or consequences of this legislation, I have no doubt they will be provided with detailed notice of it in the next ten months. I hope these same communities will consider the position in terms of the parties which brought the legislation forward and that they will avail of the opportunity to put in place a Government which will, I hope, be in a position to reverse this one-sided legislation.

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