Mr. Brian Carroll:

The Deputy's first question was on whether the language in the Bill was designed to create loopholes. The answer to that is "No". It was not. One of the issues that has been mentioned is linking the 2050 target to the climate action plans and carbon budgets. That is quite clearly done in terms of the 2050 climate objective. The Bill reads: "The State shall pursue the transition to a climate resilient and climate neutral economy by the end of the year 2050." The word "pursue" means to follow, chase, continue or proceed to achieve that target by 2050. Section 3(2) clearly links the achievement of that target to the preparation of climate action plans and long-term strategies. It states that for the purpose of enabling the State to pursue the national 2050 objective, the Minister will make climate action plans and national long-term climate action strategies and in doing so, under section 3(3)(r), the Minister is required to take account of the carbon budget programme. There is quite a tight linking of the target with the making of plans and strategies and the creation of a carbon budget. I do not see loopholes there.

As regards just transition, section 3(3)(c) of the Bill highlights climate justice as one of the things that has to be taken into account by the Climate Change Advisory Council and Ministers. The committee must consider it in advising on carbon budgets and the Government more generally must do so in adopting carbon budgets and preparing climate action plans and long-term strategies. Climate justice very much incorporates a just transition nationally and quite a bit of policy has been brought forward already by the Government to address this in a relatively short period of time. Some of those pieces, such as the appointment of the just transition commissioner, have already been mentioned. Decisions have already been made about €20 million for energy efficiency retrofitting in the midlands and €5 million for peatland rehabilitation outside the Bord na Móna estate. A dedicated just transition fund will make €11 million available to fund innovative projects in the midlands and €15 million has been committed as part of the July stimulus to retrofit 33,000 ha of Bord na Móna peatlands, which will act as a carbon sink. A feasibility study is about to be started on establishing a green energy hub using existing infrastructure in west Offaly and Lough Ree power stations. There is quite a bit of activity already under way regarding just transition,

The Deputy mentioned gender balance and the provisions around gender balance are strengthened in the Bill. As regards the other considerations she listed, there is a long list of characteristics, competencies and expertise that are required from potential members of the Climate Change Advisory Council, including climate science, transport, energy and policy, and behavioural and communications science. Experience of biodiversity and ecosystems services, to which the Deputy made particular reference, are included in that list. Economics, finance, political sociology and ethics in relation to climate are also considered, as well as the importance of gender balance.

The Deputy raised the relationship between the 7% per annum on average reduction over the decade, the 55% reduction at EU level and the 2050 target. Basically, the 7% per annum over the decade equates to the 55% the EU is proposing for 2030. It is consistent with achieving carbon or climate neutrality by 2050, which is the objective set out in the Bill. It will involve sinks as well as technologies to reduce our production of greenhouse gases. As regards concerns, one has to account for the fact that the period out to 2050 is a 30-year period. There is a degree of uncertainty around how science and technology will develop over that time. There is a lot of research going on in the area of climate mitigation.

Obviously, nature-based solutions, such as carbon sinks and rewetting peatlands, will have a huge role to play in balancing certain greenhouse gases. In addition, one would expect scientific progress over the three decades, which will bring forward further solutions that we do not yet have.