Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

First, I would like to outline some of the background to the Bill and the context around it at this point. The Bill has had a long and somewhat complex road to get to this point. The purpose of the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 is to give legal effect to the proposed reconfiguration of the raised bog natural heritage area network. This reconfiguration arises from a national study of our raised bog resource in 2014, called the Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network.

The Bill also allows for a review of blanket bog natural heritage areas, puts the national biodiversity action plan on a statutory footing, and places a biodiversity duty on public bodies. The Bill was first presented on 21 July 2016. It completed all Stages in the Dáil and the Seanad, and has been returned to the Dáil for consideration of the various amendments made by the Seanad when the Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the 32nd Dáil on 14 January 2020. My Department has been working to refine some of the amendments passed by the Seanad. These are now ready, and the Bill was restored to the Houses of the Oireachtas last week.

The main objective of the 2014 raised bog natural heritage area network review was to look at how the network could contribute to our national conservation objectives for raised bog habitats, while minimising the impacts on the traditional rights of landowners and turf cutters, and minimising costs for the State. The reconfiguration of the network, which this Bill will facilitate, is based on sound scientific advice, and will have a positive impact on the network.

The Bill allows for the completion of the review. Decisions on designation or de-designation of natural heritage areas will not be made in a vacuum. There are principles and criteria in this Bill to guide the Minister in this process. The focus is on nature conservation and having a positive impact on the relevant network.

Sixteen amendments to the Bill were passed in the Seanad. These consisted of 11 Government amendments and five non-Government amendments. It is these 16 amendments and the Government's counter-amendments that we are considering tonight. There are no proposals to change eight of the 16 Seanad amendments. Technical or minor changes to three Government amendments are being proposed, and I am proposing changes to all five non-Government amendments. In keeping with the scope under Standing Orders to amend a Bill at this Stage, a minimal approach to any changes has been adopted.

In redrafting non-Government Seanad amendments, I have sought to reflect the general intention of the amendments insofar as possible. Overall, the views and additions proposed by the Seanad have been respected.

Finally, I want to put on record my thanks, and that of my Department, to the Ceann Comhairle's staff and particularly the Bills Office, which has assisted us on some very technical matters in relation to this Bill.

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