Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My question relates to an answer that Mr. Carroll gave to Deputy Whitmore. On the 2020 Bill, there seems to be a steering away from different methodologies within the text of the Bill. Deputy Whitmore's question related to nature-based solutions, and the fact that they are somewhat lacking within the Bill, even though they are referred to in respect of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007. It is also acknowledged that on the Climate Change Advisory Council that there is scope to have representatives with expertise in biodiversity and nature-based solutions. I am wondering is there a reason we are steering away from the different methodologies? When Mr. Carroll referred to the Act in his response to Deputy Whitmore, was he referring to the 2015 Act, when he said that nature-based solutions were included and mentioned? If that is not the case, is there scope, under section 3, for the inclusion of some text referring to and acknowledging the importance of biodiversity and nature-based solutions? In the direction that we take in reducing our carbon emissions, battling climate change and stemming the devastation to biodiversity and wildlife nationally and worldwide, it is important that we acknowledge it in some form within the Bill.

That is my question. Given that Mr. Carroll referred to it, I presume that it is included in the Act and that he is talking about the 2015 Act.