Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State said, "would likely include", if he goes back to the comments that he put on the record. These are European Union instruments. We are signed up to these. I see no difficulty. We are talking about protecting marine diversity, mitigating climate change for the protection of coastal areas, issues of carbon sequestration by marine organisms, the need for healthy ecosystems, best international practice, EU instruments, unified structures, shared language, and a consistent approach, using evidence-based understanding of where we stand on marine, ocean and sea protection. We are also talking about marine planning and how it will interface with city and county development plans but that is a bit away.

Deputy Noonan is the Minister of State with responsibility for heritage. This is his opportunity to put his stamp on this legislation. I have no doubt that he has and that we are not privy to all the goings on with regard to it, except to say that I am on the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and have dealt extensively with this legislation. We had a pre-legislative report. We did not see all the recommendations incorporated into it, which I accept is part of the process. The Minister of State is telling the House that it is not necessary to include these. I am always conscious when we are here, debating these issues, that we are choosing our words carefully. We are setting a chain of events and a record of words. Words mean things. There may be a time when we have to revisit this through an external body. A European institution may wish to revisit the conversation that we are having here today. To be clear, the Minister of State is assuring the House and me that these resolutions are not required. He and his officials are fully confident that these two European Union instruments are fully bedded down, will be secured and full regard will be had to them in the legislation. Will the Minister of State tell me that, if possible?