Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thought that was Thursday's business, which is why I was waiting, but now that the issue has been raised, I want to add my voice. It is totally unacceptable that the Government is doing this. Initially, it was to be a motion without debate but it was then changed to provide for a debate of less than an hour on a matter as important as this. I must call this out for what it is. It is simply a case of the Government ramming things through without consultation. If the Government has got itself into trouble in relation to a European directive, that is its difficulty. It should be explained to us.

The framework is too important to deal with in 45 minutes. It has huge implications for the sustainable use of our seas and climate change. If the Government is seriously interested, it must schedule a proper debate on the motion after the committee has considered it. I understand there are two relevant committees. I do not mind which of them deals with this but neither of them has had the opportunity to examine this framework which the Government wants to pass without discussion.

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