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

I would agree with the Deputy. Within our existing system in Cabinet, we have to proof policy matters in a whole variety of aspects, including environmental. I believe the Department of the Taoiseach is looking at further ways - both internally in Government as well as in respect of sharing with the Opposition - in which we can carbon-proof in advance measures as they come to Cabinet, or indeed as they come to the Dáil or before committees. It is about the scale of this climate issue. The truth is that it can be centre stage for a certain period but then something else happens, such as the war in Ukraine, Covid or Brexit, and inevitably the focus switches to whatever the crisis issue of the day is. We do need a mechanism where every policy measure is consistently assessed on its carbon impact. The Department of the Taoiseach is looking at the issue. We will seek to stitch that into the climate action plan.