Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 26:

In page 12, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following:“(3) The Expert Advisory Council shall be independent in the performance of its functions.”.

As we know, the Minister has announced the composition of the council which includes many individuals of very high calibre. However, various action groups have raised concerns about the lack of an explicit guarantee of independence for the new council. It is vital that, as with the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, the Advisory Council on Climate Change be able to operate independently and speak its mind, even if it conflicts directly with the Government of the day. It is important that this be stated in the legislation.