Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo that request. If the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, is to be invited here, he might also address the issue of Ireland needing a new national action plan against racism. We used to have one as part of our infrastructure of equality and inclusion. Indeed, we used to have a national body to address the issue. I would like the Minister of State to address those topics when he speaks.

I wish to speak specifically about the proposal on the Order of Business to take the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill today. Report and Final Stages of the Bill, which is possibly misnamed as it had many negative implications for wildlife across the country, are to be taken today, just weeks before the climate committee is due to discuss the future of peatlands. The Bill has already passed through the Dáil, where there was what I regarded as an extraordinary extension of its scope at the last minute, not only to cover raised bogs but also blanket bogs. We are to conclude our consideration of the Bill before the climate action committee is to hear from Bord na Móna, the ESB, officials from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, experts from UCD, Earth Matters and the National Park and Wildlife Service, and the peatlands strategy implementation group. A comprehensive set of experts will be presenting on how we should manage our peatlands when the relative legislative document, which allows for the de-designation of what are currently protected areas, will have passed through the houses. It seems extraordinary that this would be the case. It behoves the Minister and, I hope, the Leader to consider removing the legislation from the Order of Business at least for one month until the discussion, findings and expertise of the committee on this issue can be factored in. This Bill has had a long journey to this point. One more month, which would allow for proper consideration and reflection, would be appropriate. I am concerned that the Bill, by its nature, has become somewhat dated. It did not, on Committee Stage, include any reference to climate change, carbon sequestration or any related matter, all of which are deeply important to our peatlands and the decisions we make on their protection or non-protection. I propose an amendment to remove the Bill from the proposed Order of Business.