Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I will be brief so that we can move on to the Committee Stage debate. Some of the issues that have been raised by Deputies can be dealt with in the context of the Committee Stage amendments.

Deputy Creed and many others suggested that the Bill represents a missed opportunity. It is important to explain that a number of options were considered as part of the modernisation of foreshore licensing functions. It was deemed necessary, on foot of legal advice and other considerations, to pursue that process in three phases. As I explained in my opening speech, the first phase of the process was completed in September of last year when a number of functions were transferred. This legislation provides for the second phase of the process - the division of responsibilities and the transfer to the Environmental Protection Agency of certain functions relating to dumping at sea. The third and final part of the process will take place after the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has engaged in consultation. Nobody who listened to today's debate, in which a vast range of opinions were expressed, will be in any doubt about the quantity of work that needs to be done before we can reach that point. It is clear that some fundamental issues need to be considered in the context of the modernisation of the foreshore licensing regime.

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