Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Beidh nóiméad amháin agam agus nóiméad ag an Teachta Clarke. What the Minister of State has outlined would probably make sense were it the case that some consultation had taken place. The Government cannot take anything other than outright opposition to this regulation prior to consultation with those people who will be affected by it. As is the case with any legislation, and particularly with EU regulations, there are always unforeseen consequences that only people at the coalface will be able to address. There is a major financial implication but there are also major conservation implications for those who are carrying out very positive conservation functions for us all in their local areas. I again request that the Minister of State commit the Government to opposing this at every turn and, in the interim, carrying out a full consultation process with those who will potentially be affected by its inaction.

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