Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The challenges with regard to upgrading some of the roads are what Senator Ó Céidigh meant in his commentary. We have seen this with regard to the N59 and the R336. Senator Mulherin also commented on this last week with regard to projects. We must always remember some of these projects are about the upgrade of roads to make them safer as much as they are to make them faster. This is always a balance that needs to be struck.

With regard to the comments of Senator Higgins, I mentioned the criteria last week and I will read them into the record again. The principles and criteria in the Bill are to guide the Minister on conducting a review and making decisions, such as the carrying out of strategic environmental assessments, public consultations and linking the achievement of major conservational objectives for blanket bog habitats to the favourable conservation status of these habitats. Any of the designations we speak about would be in this vein also. Subsection 3(b)(ii) of the proposed section 18A might be a more relevant section to insert the amendment.

I believe a majority in the House will accept the amendment based on what I have heard. The amendment as proposed is too broadly based, particularly with regard to what strategic infrastructural projects mean.It would need to be refined on Report Stage. If there is a majority in the House to support it, I could offer engagement with officials with a view to possibly inserting it in a different section, which may lessen the concerns of Senator Higgins. The amendment would need refinement before Report Stage, in consultation with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, with a view to narrowing its scope and focus. There are a lot of issues involved. The issue of golf courses was brought up a good number of times. I am not sure whether Members are referring to planned courses, new courses, expansions, or established courses. Greenways are hugely popular among those who support them but some landowners have a different view. I agree with the overall thrust of the amendment. As I have said, if there is a majority to support it I will offer engagement with officials on whether it could be included on Report Stage, perhaps under the new section 18A(3)(b)(ii) of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000.