Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 42 would require the Minister to lay a report before the Oireachtas within 12 months considering intergenerational justice and equity issues and how they relate to boglands. This should consider the issues of turf cutting, peat extraction, climate change and other environmental considerations. We acknowledge and support the similar amendment No. 48, which is sponsored by Fianna Fáil Senators and addresses some of the same issues. However, the intergenerational issue is also important and this amendment addresses it. Young people in rural Ireland will not be able to practise the same rights as older generations. Intergenerational justice is not just about young people bearing the worst effects of climate change. It also concerns the way turf is cut now, which may impact on young people's ability to cut turf in the future. In light of amendment No. 48, I will withdraw my amendment, however I hope these concerns will be added to the Bill in some form in the Dáil and the intergenerational dimension of this issue will be considered further.