Fiach MacConghail (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. In the context of political reform and the policy development role of this committee, I applaud him for engaging with us and giving us a sense of the major challenge we face in the context of addressing the matter to which the proposed legislation relates and in terms of interacting with the various stakeholders. I can only speak on my own behalf but the recent sessions at which we have discussed the heads of the Bill with many of the stakeholders have been invigorating and interesting. Points of divergence and tension have emerged and we hope these will be reflected in our final report. I hope that report, when it is published, will be of assistance to the Minister.

The Minister was very clear in the context of what he said with regard to Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions. I do not wish to put words in his mouth but he appears to be suggesting that we have not arrived at a clear set of measurements which we can use to quantify Ireland's exact level of such emissions. He also seemed to suggest that putting in place targets or objectives in this regard would be premature and that there is more work to be done in the context of developing a national and specific greenhouse gas emissions measurement mechanism. The Minister was also very clear with regard to how reductions in greenhouse gas emissions should be achieved. He is consistent in this regard in that he is not necessarily in favour of national targets or objectives being included in the body of the legislation. Two questions arise from what the Minister said. Is he of the view that burden-sharing would offer us an outlet in respect of this matter? He suggested that the agricultural sector should be carbon neutral and that the other three sectors should try to achieve certain reductions. Is he suggesting, therefore, that burden-sharing would provide us with a way to reduce overall emission levels? The Minister does not agree with including targets or objectives in primary legislation. A former Scottish Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Mr. Stewart Stevenson, addressed this committee and indicated that Scotland put in place annual targets which were separate from the legislation. These targets were not designed as a way for politicians to be admonished if they were not achieved and, as a result, they became self-fulfilling in nature.