Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Regarding Deputy Cahill's question, the European Parliament passed the restoration of nature law this week, but there are lots of procedures and phased approaches to its implementation. We first need to read it and understand what is going to happen next year, the year after, in five years and in ten years. The Government had two reports this week on inland fisheries in terms of removing barriers, dealing with weirs and fish passes, etc., which will benefit anglers. The Minister, Deputy O’Brien, brought the matter to the Cabinet. It will represent significant investment. During the week, Waterways Ireland put out significant plans for the rivers Suir and Barrow and so on to once again facilitate angling and access to their banks without undermining the core issue of nature restoration. These things can be done. That there are good programmes in place reflects the fact that, with investment, we can accomplish a great deal on this front.

Regarding Deputy McAuliffe, I will speak to the Minister, Deputy O’Brien. Both issues are crucial to many people in multi-apartment complexes and to those with building defects. The Government has made a strong commitment in that regard financially and provided for it. It is just a matter of delivering and getting on with it.

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