Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left) | Oireachtas source

We have tabled one of the amendments but the reality is that it is just a bit of a sop. The change was obviously at the request of Friends of the Earth in order to change the name of the group. However, it really only makes sense if the ex officio members are to be taken off the panel. To me, the proposal is just an attempt by the Government to say it is really listening to the submissions that were made but in reality there is only a name change. It does not alter in any way the content or orientation of the body, which would be necessary if we were to have some meaningful action. I will not waste time on it because there are more important issues.

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