Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

It deals with 39,000 sq. km of asset that is in public ownership and if there was one Bill that should not be rushed through this House, it is a Bill about what the State owns and the most significant asset that the State will have in the development of energy, aquaculture, responding to the threat of climate change, and so on. It is not something that should have a guillotine on Second Stage, no more than it should have a miserly amount of time for amendments.

What does the Bill straighten out? The Bill allows for a conversation between two Ministers, who are left without transparent power. It excludes local representatives from any involvement in decision. It thereby fits neatly-----

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