Mattie McGrath Criticises Minister Over Green Agenda Bill
Mattie McGrath criticised the minister's handling of a bill connected to the Green Agenda and environmental measures, arguing there was insufficient time to debate amendments and that the minister would not accept changes. He said the lack of engagement left rural communities without reassurance and urged amendments to make the bill acceptable to rural Ireland.
Amendment timing and parliamentary debate
The deputy said the committee had inadequate time to debate the bill and its amendments. He highlighted that there were over 90 of their amendments and over 220 amendments in total, and expressed disappointment that the bill could not be fully examined.
Ministerial approach and tone
McGrath accused the minister of failing to placate or reassure concerned citizens, describing him as steadfast and resolute in refusing amendments except those he proposed. He also noted the minister's strong commitment to the Green Agenda while arguing that passion did not replace engagement with critics.
Environmental duty and rural impact
While affirming a duty to care for the environment, McGrath said the bill must be made palatable to rural Ireland. He framed his amendments as attempts to balance environmental aims with the needs, fears and concerns of rural communities.
Procedural interruption and amendment move
During his remarks the chair called for order and asked McGrath to address the substance of the amendment. McGrath said he had moved the amendment and declined to speak further to allow others time, reiterating his disappointment that amendments were not being accepted.
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Well, I raised to move our amendment and I want to say how disappointed we are as I said earlier that we didn't get time, didn't get proper time to debate this bill fully and any of our amendments or any of the amendments we have over 90 and there's over 220 altogether and I think it's more intuition. As I said we want to bring the people with us and the minister is considering his tone tonight saying that but in reality he's not doing that and he's not making any effort to placate the people who are concerned and the people who are worried and the people who are fearful and they need to get some modicum of reassurance that we want to bring those people with him, we want to care for him. In his reply to previous motions, he said, in his reply to his speeches, I know he wanted more time than the two minutes, there could be latitude but he referred to some of our points, certainly, but he didn't really, you know, I honestly think he doesn't understand it. He's so passionate about the Green Agenda and that's not a bad thing. Deputy McGrath, can I just interrupt you? Could we please, could we please have order in the House and a bit of respect for the member in possession? So can members leave quietly? Deputy McGrath, please. Now Deputy McGrath, if it would be good to, if you would speak to the substance of the amendment, we don't need to talk about the minister, we need to talk about the amendment. No, no, look I'm not going to speak because a lot of people want to speak and we're not out of time for all the amendments that are there. So I have moved the amendment and I'm just saying that the minister is disappointing and he's not, he's steadfast, just absolute, resolute that he won't accept any amendment, no matter what it is. And only ones that he brought forward to committing himself and that's a pity. As I said, we feel passionately of a duty to clear for the environment in the first instance of course we have and we expect everyone to do that, but we also have put forward amendments to try and make this bill some way palatable and some way acceptable to the people of rural Ireland. Thank you. Thank you.
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