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

This Bill has had a long gestation and we are in the process of selecting the most suitable bog habitats to be designated, or to cease to be designated, as NHAs. The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is bound to have regard to any strategic environmental assessment or any other environmental assessment that is undertaken, as well as to observations or submissions received during the public consultation. The public consultation process provides an opportunity for any Deputy, Senator or Oireachtas committee to make observations or submissions, including on climate action. This process is an essential component of any NHA review and the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht cannot dedesignate an NHA without first having had regard to the observations or submissions received during the public consultation process. I will not, therefore, be accepting the amendment.