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

That is bizarre. The Minister of State spent the bulk of his contribution reiterating the exact comments that he made during our previous debate, which outlined the concerns and challenges involved, then said that we will face down those challenges at a different stage. He mentioned the consultation with some of the organisations that have an interest in this. He did not state that the conversation took place after the vote, which is incredibly disappointing. The Green Party spent some time at its online conference asking why people in rural Ireland do not like it. Notwithstanding the suggestion from a Green Party Senator that it should just use smaller words, I can tell the Minister of State that it is actions, such as the one he has taken, that lead people in rural communities to think that his party is out of touch and deaf to their concerns.

The Minister of State was presented with a regulation. He was told that the regulation would create significant difficulties for farmers and game clubs, the very people who are needed to champion conservation measures and protect biodiversity. He was simply asked to ensure that the full consultation process would happen and take place with them before he supported the regulation, and he could not do it. I do not understand why that is the case.

He has made a decision that will put a significant burden on a number of gun holders. Will he commit to ensure that people who are out of pocket because they have to change or modify their guns will be compensated in full? Will he commit to consult with those people who will be affected by the implementation of the regulation? If he is, will he outline the process and nature of that consultation? People will take a commitment to consult with a grain of salt. In recognition of where we have been up until this point, will the Minister of State outline the form of that consultation? Whatever needs to be done to protect our environment has to be done. All I am asking is that the people who are on the front line in protecting biodiversity and the environment are consulted before decisions that affect them are made. That is not too much to ask.

See this speech in context