After debating the Wildlife Bill for 12 hours in the Seanad, Senator Higgins was happy to report last-minute wins in two areas. Senator Higgins succeeded in persuading the Minister to accept her amendment which requires a report to be produced on the condition, restoration and rewetting potential of ALL blanket bog National Heritage Areas before any order to remove protection of these bogs can be made. Which means no golf course or other ill-conceived developments in these National Heritage Areas for the foreseeable future. The Minister also accepted Senator Higgins' amendment to require a report on how turbury (peat cutting) rights operate – to include recommendations on a definition of ‘household use’ – important not only in terms of climate action but also a just transition.
On February 22nd, I addressed Shane Ross, Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport in the Seanad. I asked him how he intends to meet the targets set out in the National Cycling Policy Framework, including having 10% of all journeys made by bicycle.
On 19th July 2016 Senator Alice-Mary Higgins raised CETA in the Seanad and asked the Government to commit to Not Signing any agreement for provisional application of CETA at the EU Council of Ministers meeting in October.
