Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 4, line 39, to delete “and” and substitute the following:“(b) place an advertisement in at least one national newspaper to inform the public of the making of the order, and”.

I know we are speaking on the amendments together but I have the amendments divided into groups so I will speak to amendments Nos. 9 to 11, inclusive, together. Amendment No. 9 again relates to the conversation we have been having about community. We all have a sense of what a community is but we need to be clear on certain things such as the phrase "the common good". As Senator Norris pointed out quite eloquently, the common good is mentioned in our Constitution and is recognised as being for the benefit of all those who live within the State. Amendment No. 9 seeks to build on the provision whereby the Minister, when he or she has made an order to de-designate lands as a natural heritage area, will "place an advertisement in at least one newspaper circulating in the locality in which the land to which the order applies is situate to inform the public of the making of the order". My amendment simply provides that he or she will also place an advertisement in a national newspaper to inform the public of the making of the order. Such orders are not only a matter for those whose lands adjoin the natural heritage area, NHA. They affect all of us. They affect our environment. Many will have strong relationships and opinions on this issue. The obligation to place an advertisement in respect of the de-designation of an NHA in a national newspaper - which again is a decision the Minister makes on behalf of the nation - is in line with the constitutional point made in respect of the common good. It is a reasonable proposal.

In amendment No. 11 I suggest that in addition to sharing a copy of the order with the various bodies mentioned in the Bill - the planning authorities, the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and so forth - a copy also be shared with the Joint Committee on Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. I do not believe anybody would object to that committee having the opportunity to examine this issue. I reserve the right to suggest a copy also be shared with other committees, given that new committees have emerged since I tabled these amendments. It is important that cross-party committees are aware of such orders and have the opportunity to discuss them if they so choose. I also suggest that, in addition to a copy of the order being sent to these bodies directly, a copy should be published online. Perhaps the Minister of State has suggestions as to the appropriate place to publish such orders online. Out of duty to the general public, they should be available online.

In amendment No. 10 I suggest that a copy of the amendment be sent to-----