Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

In my introductory statement I stated clearly that I would focus on amendments other than those of a technical, textual or consequential nature. Examples of such are amendments Nos. 1 and 2. Since the Bill was first introduced, the title of the Minister has changed to include heritage. Amendment No. 4 is a correction to the text – it is more appropriate to refer to the 1992 Act as a whole rather than the preliminary part of the Act. In amending the Bill we will capture all parts of it. Amendment No. 17 is a correction to the syntax of the Bill by replacing the word "for" with the word "of". This is merely a flavour of the textual amendments. We do not have much time. That is the reason I focused on the more substantive amendments.

The Bill is an important one and all Members of both Houses appreciate the necessity for it. We differ on various sections and amendments but it has the effect of strengthening the law on industrial and other activities which have the potential to damage the environment. Its provisions impact for the good of all. The key environmental media are given an enhanced focus for action by the Environmental Protection Agency to secure energy efficiency and regulate greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change. The Bill also contains new provisions to improve the implementation and enforcement of environmental legislation. It contains a number of key decisions which are essential in order to further strengthen our approach to waste management. In short, the Bill is significant and a substantial addition to Ireland's environmental legislation and signals the Government's determination to ensure the environment receives the protection it deserves.