Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Grace O'Sullivan and the Civil Engagement group for bringing the Bill to us. It is disappointing. Senator Paudie Coffey made a point about respectful engagement across the Chamber. It is important. People are looking at the Seanad and seeing how we conduct ourselves. The past few days have been disappointing. Inevitably, we get angry, annoyed and disappointed. It is because we are passionate about the subjects we come here to discuss and represent people on. The Senator made a valid point. While our engagements may not be manifested in direct legislation, amendments or regulation, they may feed into it. This is where we need to change. The people have spoken. They want the Seanad to be here. The quality of the debate is higher here than in Dáil Éireann, dare I say it. The engagement is constructive, most of the time. This is an important point.

The Bill proposes to prohibit the sale and manufacture of products containing plastic microbeads and to monitor and report on the levels of microplastic and microbead pollution on the Irish coastline, waters, flora, fauna and Natura 2000 sites. It is very reasonable. As I was coming into the Chamber, there were two televisions on, one showing the Dáil and one showing the Seanad. Deputy Catherine Martin was speaking in the Dáil and Senator Grace O'Sullivan, the first Green Party member to be elected to the Seanad, was speaking here. It is not often that two Green Party members are speaking in two Chambers in this building at the same time. It reminded me again of the significance and importance of the Green Party and its contribution. While all parties claim to have green credentials, the Green Party has done great service in a very difficult time by returning to these political Chambers and being very effective.

The Minister, Deputy Coveney, has returned to his chair. I have not spoken since he left, which is a coincidence in itself. The Minister timed it well. With no disrespect to any Minister of State, I appeal directly to the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, Mr. Nice Guy, as everybody tells me, to let it go in good faith. It should go to the next Stage. The Minister should not block it. Again, I pay tribute to Senator Grace O'Sullivan for her impassioned debate on "Morning Ireland". She captured her enthusiasm with the subject and her frustration at how the Bill has been blocked and stymied. It came over very clearly. I do not know whether the Minister was listening to it on his way here. I was driving here. The Senator was very committed to it. It is an environmental issue.

Certain Senators have chosen not to be here to engage in the debate, and this is one of the clear features of the Seanad. During the past six months it has been an eye-opener for me to see how few Senators want to come in here and engage in real, meaningful politics. We talk about new politics. I do not believe there is new politics. I believe there is a new reality, that one has to do business. The members of the political establishment - I do not mean the Minister personally - would not do any business if they did not have to in the new scenario. It is disappointing. The Minister has the power to do it here, now. I appeal directly to him, sitting in the Ministers' chair, to allow the Bill to go to the next Stage and allow people to have a meaningful engagement. It is all about consultation and meaningful engagement. We spoke about other issues earlier.

I do not care who brings in the legislation on microbeads, and neither does Senator O'Sullivan. We just want good legislation. The Minister, his Department and all parties knew the Bill was coming. They are not here with amendments. Where are the Government Members who have such enthusiasm for the environment? Why are they not here proposing amendments? The Minister needs to answer. Why are the Government Senators, who were elected and who were determined to be here, not here contributing with amendments? Why are the Fianna Fáil Senators not here?