Foreshore Bill and Private Members’ time
Éamon Ó Cuív asks about the maritime and foreshore Bill, seaweed licences and additional time for Private Members’ Bills. The Tánaiste expects the Bill this session and says business scheduling is a matter for the Whips.
When is it intended to publish the maritime area and foreshore (amendment) Bill? Will the Bill include updating the law in respect of seaweed harvesting licences, which has become an issue of contention around the coast?
In view of the apparent shortage of Government legislation coming forward and the large number of Private Members' Bills waiting to be taken from Members, who have all been elected equally, is it intended to provide time on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to take more Private Members' Bills in the absence of Government legislation?
Comment on this
The maritime area and foreshore (amendment) Bill is due this session. The committee issued a report on the pre-legislative consideration of the Bill on 13 February.
The ordering of business for the House is a matter for the Whips. From what I can see, the difficulty of the House in respect of its business has more to do with the failure on the part of Opposition parties and Deputies to use the time available to them to make the arguments and the case in the House and to keep the business going.