Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will finish at this point except to note that if there is close co-operation, the Minister of State should already know when that legislation will be published. We should not be in the position where we are being asked to move ahead in one aspect of what happens in our waters, in the seas of Ireland, without knowing the other piece. It is not a general query. I am sure we can get somebody to ask a parliamentary question, but it is does not give me confidence that there is an actual plan that includes environmental care and the sustaining of our marine biodiversity, or even a sustainable and well-planned transition as regards offshore renewables and offshore energy in places that will work. It does not give me huge confidence that two Departments will tell us each of them is in charge of a different thing; neither does the fact that we do not have a timeline. There is one year left. If anything needs to be done, any Department that is serious about getting something done will want to have a timeline.

I am disappointed. I hoped to get more substance on what the timelines are. I will wait. Maybe there is a possibility of follow-up even in writing, as this is the last Stage. I would like to know what the timeline is. If that could be clarified, it would be useful.