Marine planning framework
Boyd Barrett and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn opposed the marine planning framework vote, saying it lacked scrutiny and consultation; Michael Collins backed calls for more time, linking the issue to fishing and weighing concerns. The Taoiseach said they were using the issue to create a separate debate and insisted the framework was a good first step with checks and balances.
I understand that a majority of members of the Business Committee were supportive of taking the business on Wednesday. Deputy Boyd Barrett is offering.
Comment on this
I object to the vote on the national marine planning framework happening at all until there has been proper scrutiny of that framework by the relevant committees. This week, the Government has aroused the ire of people in the context of letting vulture funds run amok in this country and wrecking the housing sector on land. Now, exactly the same thing-----
Comment on this
-----is planned for the offshore by the same types of interests wishing to profit from Ireland's offshore with what are deemed relevant projects. It is not acceptable that this framework would be voted through until we have real and proper scrutiny of some of the investment interests that have grabbed pieces of our offshore and until proper environmental and biodiversity impact assessments are carried out.
Comment on this
On the same issue, I remind the Taoiseach that when this issue was brought to his attention by the Opposition, he said that we had to move on and that it was urgent. Last week, the vote that was scheduled on this was postponed. The Government could have used that week, as the committee requested, to invite representatives of the inshore fishermen and the environmental NGOs to have their say and to try to get this planning framework right. The Government chose not to do so and it wasted a week. I just wanted to put that on the record.
Comment on this
I fully agree with Deputy Mac Lochlainn that the Government has wasted a whole week. The inshore fishermen of this country deserve better. Indeed, the fishermen of Ireland deserve better. They are under severe pressure and the regime that we are on the verge of bringing in for the weighing of fish is an explosive issue. We need more time set aside to debate this. I fully agree with Deputy Mac Lochlainn in that regard.
Comment on this
This is a subterfuge and a way for people to create their own Leader's Questions and Order of Business debate to the detriment of other representatives in the House. The issue of weighing is serious but it has absolutely nothing to do with the marine planning framework. Deputy Michael Collins uses that as an excuse-----