Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. a37a:

In page 5, line 36, after "features" to insert ", having regard to matters referred to in section 16(6),".

This issue has been addressed before. I propose to amend the definition of "environmental criteria" to ensure the inclusion of the environmental, conservation, geological and biodiversity provisions in subsection 16(6) of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. This addresses the anomaly we have already discussed whereby the designation of a new protected area requires reference to the scientific and environmental criteria in subsection 16(6) whereas de-designation requires only a reference to the environmental criteria in the Bill, which do not include all of the criteria in the subsection. I hope the Minister of State might be able to find a way to incorporate the criteria in subsection 16(6) when assessing the environmental criteria concerning the potential de-designation of a raised or blanket bog.