Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I cannot agree with the amendment as I do not believe there is political support from Fine Gael for climate action, even on the evidence of the discussion we have had today. Rather than get into a party political row on the matter, my concern in this process is that we are in danger of creating a new legislative stage. If we go through each of the 12 amendments in turn and vote on them, it might not be the best use of our time and resources. The committee is clearly split 50:50 down the line. I am happy to consider the amendment, but it might be better to come to the key issue - whether we want the report to proceed on Committee Stage. If we do, we can amend it on Committee Stage. If not, it must be brought to the wider Dáil Chamber. When there is a 50:50 split in the committee on such a significant Bill, we should avoid creating a new legislative phase. We should get to the nub of the issue - whether we wish to amend the overall report, given that it has to be amended. Creating a new legislative phase would not be the best precedent.