Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like to speak on amendment No. 58, which refers to the Aarhus Convention. Senator Moynihan touched on the article written by Colm Keena in The Irish Times. Its reference to engagement over access to environmental information was an awakening for all of us. This is a simple amendment but it is perhaps one of the most important. I do not like the idea that anyone should attempt to trivialise the Aarhus Convention. It is a comprehensive convention and covers many areas. It refers to access for environmental information and the importance of many aspects of what we are dealing with in this Bill. This is an important amendment and I thank Senators Higgins, Ruane, Black and Flynn for tabling it. While it is a short amendment, people might ask why we should put it in but why should we exclude it? Why not include it? It is important that the convention is included in the legislation. It is important for the Minister of State's party, for his and its credentials and for its stated support for the Aarhus Convention. I see no reason it cannot be included.