Dr. Diarmuid Torney:

The Chairman mentioned public bodies. One of the aspects of the climate action plan that I think is very welcome is the chapter on the public sector leading by example. Within that there is provision for all public bodies to have climate change mandates and reporting around that, which is very welcome as something we highlighted in our report. There is a risk that that would turn into a green washing exercise. Public sector bodies - I have none in particular in mind - could see this as box ticking exercise. The way to counter this is parliamentary scrutiny. The climate action committee is to be set up as a standing committee under the climate action plan. Parliamentary accountability would be strengthened if other Oireachtas committees were to do likewise. In other words, transport bodies would not only have to account to the climate action committee on the low carbon mandate but to the transport committee also. There is an important role for this committee.