Seanad debates

Thursday, 3 July 2003

Protection of the Environment Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] : Report and Final Stages.

 

The Minister of State indicated his intention only to explain the purpose of the main amendments made by the Dáil. However, in fairness to the public, all amendments must be fully explained. The Minister must explain why he accepted an amendment in the Dáil which he emphatically rejected when proposed by this side of the house on Report Stage. It extends the threshold at which licensing becomes mandatory for pig breeding units, from 650 places for sows to 750 places, while licensing for integrated units will occur at 285 places rather than 275, as originally proposed. On Report Stage, we pointed out that the 750 places and 285 places, respectively, were a requirement of a European Union directive. Why did the original draft contravene these requirements?

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