Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is good that we read the reasons. Some of the reasons are particularly concerning in terms of the amendments that have been ruled out of order. Like others, I would have liked the opportunity to speak to some of those other aspects but I will focus on the amendments that are still in play.

On amendment No. 10, I have combined the reasons for expediency but each of them could be their own amendment and debate. I wish to note that the term "woodland area" should be "native tree area" but that is by the by because the core issues still apply. These are an attempt to strengthen the regulations and regulatory mandate. I am conscious that this Bill concerns his Ministry but I also spoke to the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, about these regulations in order to strengthen her hand. I used a similar principle when I spoke to the Minister about the regulations that he will make on the exit from fur farming and I highlighted the importance for us, as an Oireachtas, to strengthen the message that we give. When a Minister seeks from the Oireachtas the power to make regulations, then we are saying that while primary legislation is how legislation is normally done, there is a request from the Minister to have power transferred to secondary legislation in the form of regulations. That was why when we had those amendments that we said that in giving him the power to make regulations on the exit from fur farming, we wanted him to be clear that the regulations will include issues that address and strengthen employees' rights or address environmental concerns. I acknowledge the Minister acknowledged my amendment on the repurposing of buildings. In that sense, we are trying to strengthen and clarify the mandate that we give him, and even almost the conditions of the mandate that we give him, to write regulation. That statement is important because it relates back to some of the amendments that were ruled out of order. I will not talk about them but will simply state that they relate to the same issue. It is one thing to say that there are grounds for refusing amendments, and they were refused already, but some of them have been ruled out of order simply using the argument that the Government might not like it and are against the effects of the Bill.