Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)

The Minister does his own recycling, but I would not say it is environmentally sustainable. We hear too much of it in this House.

It was leaked beforehand that sustainable energy sources would be recognised in the Bill for BES schemes, yet they have not been specified. Another opportunity could have been provided for in the area of regional development. Deputy Cowley mentioned County Mayo, but the situation in the Cork docklands is very much up in the air. As an opportunity, the Finance Bill fails to tick many of the boxes.

There are eight sections in the Bill dealing with the financial aspects of the Criminal Justice Act. They seem to be the only ones included in the Bill at the behest of the Tánaiste. The Bill refers to licence fees for the purchase of dangerous weapons and the three-year period for their achievement. It seems there is a high degree of detail in one specific area. The licence fees are very modest and the Government seems to be encouraging a tourist trade in crossbows and firearms. Given the resources available to the Minister, why does he choose to seek such detail about such a small area? He has ignored so many other areas, especially those about which he spoke at length in his budget speech. He will not be surprised to learn that I will attempt to make amendments to the Bill in so far as Standing Orders allow me to do so. Ultimately, my party cannot support the focus of the Bill.

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