Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The core problem here is that while any individual can contribute to a public consultation on a specific bog, he or she can only do so after a review and after proposals for specific designations or dedesignations have been made. It fragments the process and does not allow for the policy in respect of natural heritage areas to take people's considerations into account. I accept that my amendment also allows for this to take place after the review, but I hope that the Minister will take on board recommendations for policy as well the view of individuals contributing to the public consultation. I hope a wide consideration will be applied to all proposals rather than relying on individual proposals in the public consultation.