Mr. Sorley McCaughey:

We would prefer the body to have a title like the climate advisory council, which would be similar to the fiscal advisory council. The Deputy asked about the benefits to this being independent and the answer may be in the question. The value of having an independent body is, among other things, the ability of the body to publish its own reports rather than having the Government decide when it should do so. We have highlighted that aspect in our submission and to most minds that is not a particularly outrageous request or suggestion. It has probably been met with some sympathy by members of the committee and others.

Another benefit of an independent advisory council is that we would draw in specialists and experts from outside State bodies. The relevant Minister would have it within his powers the right to nominate people to bring a diverse range of specialisation and expertise to the advisory council, which may not be the case in what is currently envisaged. The advisory council could incorporate a wide range of specialists, including people from the private sector through to climate scientists. It would be up to the Minister to determine what he or she sees as being the most representative for a council. We would not like to under-stress the importance of having the independence of that advisory council.