Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the very gracious Senator Aideen Hayden for sharing two minutes of her time with me because I have to rush off to attend another meeting. It is great to see the Minister of the State in the House.

I welcome the Bill, which is timely. The Minister of State may be involved in the Royal Irish Academy pairing system, as I am, under which the academy pairs legislators with scientists. I have benefited hugely from it. I have been paired with a Dr. Deirdre Lewis, a geologist with SLR Consulting. I have learned a lot in working with her. I have visited Glengowla mines in Oughterard and learned about our mining heritage and there is much to learn. I compliment this family based mining enterprise.

I have two questions for the Minister of State, although I cannot wait for his answers, but I will check them in the Official Report. It is important to know them in my work with the scientist. Will he confirm that the provisions of the Bill recognise the rights of citizens to participate actively in all aspects of environmental decision making and thus allow for consultation on minerals development, as per the provisions of the Aarhus Convention which was ratified by Ireland in 2012? The second question ties in somewhat with what Senator Ó Clochartaigh said. This might put his mind at rest. Can the Minister of State confirm that the provisions of the revised Bill are not in contravention of the revised Planning and Development Act and Planning and Development Regulations 2001 with regard to prospecting and drilling for minerals? Submissions under the latter should be exempt from planning permission at the prospecting stage to allow for responsible investigation of the subsurface for minerals. This is why it can go on at the moment in Connemara, for example.

I have learned that we have a highly-regulated industry in Ireland and that we rank highly internationally in this field. It has been a great learning experience from me. I compliment those involved on coming up with the idea of a regulatory impact assessment. I believe it is something that should be adopted in more disciplines where we are pairing off experts in the field with policymakers and legislators. Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Aire Stáit agus leis an Seanadóir Hayden as ucht a gcuid ama. I wish the Minister of State well and I look forward to hearing the reply to my two questions.