Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As I said previously, I find myself completely disagreeing with Senator Boyhan on all of his amendments. As I stated during a previous debate, because my party is in government, there are times when I have to admit that we have had to compromise on some issues and it is difficult. My Government colleagues have had to compromise on other issues and we went into government understanding that would be the case. However, I would never table an amendment in which I did not believe. That seems to be, with respect, what Senator Boyhan is suggesting.

The amendment I proposed on Committee Stage was ruled out of order. Other Members also had amendments ruled out of order. It is for that reason we did not table amendments on Report Stage because those same amendments would have been ruled out of order again. As a result of that, I asked the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight to look at the transparency around what is and is not ruled out of order. I will continue to follow up on that.

I will reiterate a couple of points and I know the Minister of State is aware of our views in respect of them. The daily rate of 25 cu. m seems to be too high. It is not in line with Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, where 10 cu. m applies. That needs to be looked at, if not know then during the drafting of regulations. I ask the Minister of State to consider the matter in the Dáil. My colleague, Deputy Steven Matthews, will bring forward an amendment in that regard. It would not cost the State anything. In fact, it would save the State money because we could contact people and ask them to not abstract at times of drought conditions. I am fully behind the amendment I proposed. I would like the Minister of State and the Department to examine how it can be incorporated.