Éamon Ó Cuív Demands Action on Delayed Wildlife Bill
Éamon Ó Cuív pressed for the three amendments made in the Siannod to the Wildlife Amendment Bill 2016 to be returned to the Dáil for final debate, calling the delay 'absolutely disgraceful'. He said he had repeatedly raised the matter in topical issues, parliamentary questions and QPL and asked when the amendments would be debated.
Bill history
The Wildlife Bill was published on 21 July 2016 and, as recorded in the debate, it passed through the Dáil and passed through the Siannod by January 2020. The Dáil was subsequently dissolved, but the Ceann Comhairle clarified that it is a simple matter to recommit a bill after dissolution.
Scope and purpose of the Bill
The Wildlife Amendment Bill 2016 proposes to amend the Wildlife Amendment Act of 2000. Upon completion it will give legal effect to the proposed reconfiguration of the raised bog natural heritage area network arising from the 2014 review of raised bog natural heritage area network and will provide for reviews of blanket bog habitats, among other matters.
Government action in 2023
The minister told the Dáil that the Cabinet approved on 30 May 2023 the restoration of the Wildlife Amendment Bill to the Dáil order paper. A motion to execute that restoration is being prepared and will be brought to the Dáil very shortly, according to the reply recorded in the debate.
Next steps and deputy response
Éamon Ó Cuív said he expected the amendments to be taken once the Bill was back on the order paper and stated he would follow up personally. He urged that the outstanding Seanad amendments be brought forward and dealt with without further delay.
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Ceann Comhairle, almost seven years ago, on the 21st of July 2016, the Wildlife Bill was published. It passed through the Dáil and passed through the Siannod by January 2020. There were three amendments made in the Siannod. The Dáil, as you know, was dissolved, but it's a simple matter to recommit a bill, and that has been clarified by the Ceann Comhairle himself. What I'm wondering is, when will the three amendments passed in the Siannod be brought here for debate to finalise this bill and make it into a law? It's absolutely disgraceful that this takes so long. I have raised it, I don't know how many times, the topical issues, parliamentary questions and QPL, and I think it's time that this matter was brought forward and dealt with as promised. Thank you very much, Deputy O'Keeve. I do acknowledge that you have consistently raised this issue. The Wildlife Amendment Bill 2016 proposes to amend the Wildlife Amendment Act of 2000. Upon completion, it will give legal effect to the proposed reconfiguration of the raised bog natural heritage area network arising from the 2014 review of raised bog natural heritage area network, as well as providing for reviews of blanket bog habitats, among other matters. I'm pleased to say that the Cabinet approved on 30 May 2023 the restoration of the Wildlife Amendment Bill to the Dáil order paper, and a motion is now being prepared and will be brought to the Dáil very shortly, Deputy, to execute this. I would expect so, once it's back on. I would expect so, yeah. I'll follow up on it personally, but I expect so. Thank you.
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