Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I should point out that the objective of the Bill is to transfer specific foreshore functions from this Department to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and to transfer the dumping at sea functions to the Environmental Protection Agency. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has already indicated his intention to reform significantly the foreshore legislation following the transfer. The amendment proposed by Senator Bradford properly belongs within the reform package envisaged by the Minister, Deputy Gormley, given the degree of consultation with stakeholders such a strategic review would require.

I am aware that officials of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government previously met with the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security and that they are happy to come before the committee again to update it on developments. Along with the two Senators who have spoken, I agree with the principle of the amendment but my concern is that it would be inappropriate to include it in this kind of legislation, which is merely transferring functions, when what they are talking about, and what we all want to see achieved, is a different review and one that will be undertaken by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government as soon as we complete this process and hand it over to him.