Dáil debates

Wednesday, 16 January 2019

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Gorse Burning

11:30 am

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am glad there was an extension but I retain my concern that the opening date for the consultation, late on Friday, 21 December, was not designed to encourage maximum participation. That is a real problem. It gives a sign of the real intent of the Minister and the Department. Furthermore, the document on wildlife burning refers to a period from XXX to YYY on which we are asked to comment, but without knowing what those dates are. Similarly, the document refers to burning taking place in parts of the State set out in Schedule 1 and to the process taking into account the best practice guidelines set out in Schedule 2 of the regulations, but neither schedule was provided. People are being asked to consult on a document in circumstances where the Department has not provided the necessary schedules to allow them to consult properly. The timing and the nature of the consultation documents, which do not include the schedules or timelines to which the regulations refer, send out the signal that the Minister is not serious about this consultation. The Minister is doing a tick-the-box exercise. She has made up her mind and consultation is not real.

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