Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of Senators Ruane and Higgins, I have been asked to move amendments to the consequential amendment No. 14c8. We have some concerns about the wording used in amendment No. 14c8 and are a little unclear as to what is intended. Amendment No. 1 seeks to delete the phrase "as the Minister considers necessary from subsection (5)(b) as it caveats the provision that a review conducted under paragraph (a) shall include designated blanket bog natural heritage areas and other blanket bog natural heritage areas with requiring the Minister's belief that it is necessary. As we have discussed already, the science is really clear and we need to be led by it. It should not be up to the Minister to subjectively decide. It should be based on objective scientific evidence.

Amendment No. 2 was tabled because the language is really unclear in subsection (6). In fact, the sentence itself does not really make sense. What is the actual legal effect and policy intention behind this? It seems to have the effect that it could exclude many heritage areas. I ask for clarity.