Wednesday business and marine plan
Wednesday’s business remained disputed, with Boyd Barrett objecting again. The Taoiseach defended the marine planning framework as a necessary spatial plan with safeguards, while opposition members tried to intervene and he accused them of opposing everything.
It is not agreed.
Comment on this
Last week we discussed the marine planning framework. A marine planning Bill has to follow that. The Government wants to move on and get things done. There are too many people on the other side of the House who want to stop everything, impede everything-----
Comment on this
They are opposing every housing project that happens. Now we are talking about the marine planning framework, the first ever spatial plan for the marine, which is a good thing. It actually avoids the type of activity to which Deputy Boyd Barrett referred. That is the point. There will be many checks and balances within the spatial plan which will give an orderly and proper regulatory framework to be followed by legislation to protect rights and biodiversity while also enabling proper development within our seas that will be both timely and efficient. We should be much further ahead in the development of offshore wind energy infrastructure. Offshore wind is going to be vital in the context of renewable energy and electricity generation into the future.
Comment on this
Can the Taoiseach guarantee-----
Comment on this
-----all of the time. It is "No" to everything, as far as I can see. Every time they stand up, it is about stopping one project or another. That seems to be the bottom and consistent line.
I have to put that on the record. The only motivation we have is to get certain things done in this House and to get certain things going in this country.
Comment on this
It is not agreed.