Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin will not be supporting this amendment. What is already in the Bill is sufficient. It states that a review of natural heritage areas will have "regard to environmental criteria, restoration potential and national, regional and local economic, social and cultural needs".That is sufficient. The amendment is well-intended but it is also problematic and too detailed. I agree that the community benefit of revocation should be weighed up, as should the environmental impact. A substantial removal of bogs would probably be needed for the construction of some of the projects detailed in the amendment, such as a golf course. It is too detailed. What is in the Bill is sufficient and I asked the Minister of State to not support this amendment.