John McGahon (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be quick with my questions so I can give the witnesses as much time as possible to respond. I agree with Dr. Jackson's point that Ministers should be required to appear before this committee annually. That is a good level of accountability which we should seek to introduce. I have two questions for him. What is the best way to ensure that the Bill is going to create a clear and explicit duty on the Government to adopt carbon budgets, which I presume would essentially be in line with the programme for Government? Second, he spoke about the language being very vague at certain points. What is the most effective way to put clear legal obligations on a Government, Ministers and relevant bodies in this Bill?

Does Professor Sweeney think that under this Bill as drafted it would be possible for the Government to say legally that it is only going to try to hit targets of 1%, 2% or 3% in one year and then massively try to backload the mitigation after 2030 or 2033? Could that happen under this legislation?