Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is regrettable that again we find ourselves running through several stages of a Bill. I understand that a large number of people in the forestry industry depend on the legislation getting through. I understand urgencies of all sorts but running through Committee, Report and Final Stages of a Bill does not do the public any service whatsoever.

In terms of the amendment, as my colleague, Senator Norris, has said, information is power and the public have a right to know the decisions that are made. Our amendment is quite simple and should not cause the Government any great problem. It is only right and proper that citizens of the State are aware of everything. The best place, to which people are being pointed day after day, is the Government's website where one will find everything one needs to know about Covid-19 and anything else. Let us just put this little amendment into the Bill; I think the Minister of State is favourably disposed to doing so. I ask that in future she does not let people bamboozle her into a situation where she is running all Stages of a Bill through this House or any House because we need time to scrutinise legislation and the public have a right to have that done.