Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have received apologies from Deputy Barry Cowen, for whom Deputy Charlie McConalogue is substituting. We have also received apologies from Deputy Brian Stanley, who is being substituted by Deputy Michael Colreavy. I understand that at some stage during the meeting today, Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett will substituite for Deputy Catherine Murphy.

I remind members to turn off their mobile telephones because they interfere with the microphone system. UPC and RTE will not broadcast the proceedings of the committee if there is interference. I have heard such interference myself and it is not appropriate. Given the importance of these committee meetings, it would be a pity if something like mobile phone interference were to prevent us from getting media coverage.

I remind members that the meeting will be conducted in public. It has been convened for the purpose of the consideration by the Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015. The Bill was referred to this committee on 25 March 2015. I am proposing that the sub-committee will consider the Bill from now until 7.15 p.m., if necessary. If the proceedings on the Bill are not concluded by 7.15 p.m., we will suspend for 30 minutes and resume at 7.45 p.m. Is that agreed? Agreed.

This Bill provides for plans by Government relating to climate change; the establishment of a body to be known as the National Expert Advisory Council on Climate Change; and provides for matters connected therewith. The Bill contains 16 sections and there are 52 amendments proposed. I welcome the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, and officials from his Department, Mr. David Walker and Mr. John O'Neill. I must remind the officials that they cannot speak at this meeting. The grouping listing has been circulated. Is the listing agreed? Agreed.

I will now deal with the amendments which were deemed to be out of order by the Bills Office by reading into the record the note I have received from the Bills Office regarding same. The Bill as currently drafted does not set out any quantitative emission target reductions. The setting of specific national mitigation targets, that is, actions aimed at reducing emissions and the implementing measures required to reach those targets, for example, energy efficiency or renewable energy policy measures and so forth, would impose financial costs on the Exchequer. Amendment No. 2 in the name of Deputies Stanley and Catherine Murphy proposes inserting a new definition of low carbon into the Bill to provide for an aggregate reduction of at least 80% compared with 1990 figures. The amendment could involve a potential charge on the Exchequer and must therefore be ruled out of order in accordance with Standing Order 156 (3). Amendment No. 3 in the name of Deputy Catherine Murphy proposes deleting section 3 of the Bill in its entirety and replacing it with an alternative section entitled "Emissions Reduction Targets". This new section proposes setting mitigation targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for 2050, interim targets for 2030 and annual targets. This proposed new section also requires the Minister to ensure the net emissions account for the year 2050 are at least 80% lower than the baseline and that the net emissions account for the year 2020 are at least 42% lower than the baseline. The amendment could involve a potential charge on the Exchequer and must, therefore, be ruled out of order in accordance with standing order 156 (3). A number of other amendments in the name of Deputies Stanley, Catherine Murphy and Cowen have also been ruled out of order for the same reason.