Seanad debates

Thursday, 7 July 2022

Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages

 

9:30 am

Photo of Alice-Mary HigginsAlice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Because Senator Boylan will not be able to respond, I indicate that the Senator is glad the Minister of State will provide a report on that matter. I would add we certainly cannot afford to wait unduly to see how things work out. We need to be trying everything we can. In terms of amendment No. 63, that is welcome.

On amendment No. 66, I would add, because I do not think we will get to discuss it, that when we talk about ethical supply chain, one of the core issues is in relation to mining. I regret that this Bill is being guillotined and we will not get to discuss some of the issues which Communities Against the Injustice of Mining, an all-island cross-party group, and others have highlighted in relation to the extraction of pressure minerals. It is a concern internationally, as I have highlighted, but also on the island of Ireland and, indeed, in the waters off the island of Ireland. We have seen a large expansion in concessions for mining. It should be the case that we look to reuse, restore and recover all precious metals and minerals that are in circulation before we expand our extraction.

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