Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The philosophy underpinning this legislation is that there is a relationship between spatial planning on land and on sea and for that reason the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is the appropriate one for dealing with these issues. The sea fisheries responsibilities will remain with the Department that has food and agriculture responsibilities.

I agree with a number of the proposals that Deputy Barrett mentioned. However, I fundamentally disagree with undermining the independent standing of the Marine Institute as a scientific body, which is extremely important in strategic terms for Ireland, in fishery terms and indeed in consideration of any of these matters. While there is a strong case to be made for bringing that planning element under one body, I would be very strongly opposed to the Marine Institute being it.

In this instance I believe the timeframe proposed does not belong in the Bill. I do not believe it is attainable and it could impact negatively on the capacity of people to have an input if they so desire.

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