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

I have already emphasised that the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht cannot de-designate a national heritage area without first having regard to any strategic environmental assessment, or other environmental assessment undertaken and observations or submissions received during the public consultation. The Senator has mentioned a number of initiatives, including the midlands fund that was announced in the budget, the re-wetting of bogs and the carbon fund, which is going towards the rehabilitation of bogs. Some €5 million will come from that and money will come from the environment fund to create a package of €7 million for peatland rehabilitation. I know one of the committees will be engaging with officials on that in the coming weeks. There is a lot of positive action we can agree on and that is being backed up with funding as well. The public consultation process provides an opportunity for any Oireachtas Member or committee to make observations or submissions, including on climate action. Therefore, I will not accept the amendment.