Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State will know I hold the view that it would have been better to take this Bill in two months' time because we are making all these decisions and taking all these votes on the policy of how we manage our peatlands with the designation or de-designation of bogs just two weeks ahead of the Joint Committee on Climate Action giving consideration to a peatlands strategy. We will be having a review of our national peatlands strategy, of issues of just transition and of how we manage the future of Bord na Móna in terms of energy. We will be considering all these issues at the Joint Committee on Climate Action over the next month but it is possible the legislation will already have passed. The cart is being put before the horse. Why are we passing legislation, setting out the processes and policies around the designation or de-designation of natural heritage areas, in advance of expert testimony being heard at the Joint Committee on Climate Action on issues that directly overlap with this? For example, Bord na Móna will attend the committee, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland will speak at the committee, we will hear from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and we will hear about peatland regeneration. All these issues are pertinent to the substance of this Bill. My concern is that we will effectively be in a situation whereby that testimony is too late to be taken on board in the drafting of this Bill.

This amendment cannot fix that problem. That is a matter of the Government's choice in scheduling and timing, but the amendment tries to somewhat ameliorate that issue. I refer to section 4(4) which lists a number of issues that will be considered in regard to this matter. Amendment No. 15 basically asks that, as well as carrying out that assessment, including the public consultation mentioned, and as well as carrying out other screening for assessment that might be required, including under the European Communities Act 1972, in the shaping of each individual consideration of proposals arising from a review, the Minister would have regard to recommendations that may emerge from a relevant Oireachtas committee on climate action.I am simply saying we have not incorporated those proposals into the shape of the Bill so perhaps we can at least give space to give the Minister the option of incorporating them into the designation or de-designation process. I hope the Minister of State will be able to accept amendment No. 15.