Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I just want to get to the intent. We will come back to this on Report Stage. I note the point the Deputy has made.

The Deputy also made reference to the development plans. Section 47 of the Bill refers to the “Obligation to prepare strategy relating to environment and climate change”. Section 47(2) states:

The strategy shall include objectives relating to: (a) the facilitation of climate adaptation and mitigation and implementation of the local authority climate action plan made under section 14B of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 by the local authority”.

As the Deputy is aware, each local authority has to prepare a climate action plan, which they are currently doing. Section 47(2)(a)(ii) refers to “the climate action plan approved by the Government under section 4(9) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015”. Therefore, it is covered in the development plans. I give a commitment that we will undertake a thorough review to make certain that the intent of what the Deputy is putting forward in the amendments is covered in the legislation. Given the “Obligation to prepare strategy relating to environment and climate change”, section 47 makes explicit reference to this. It is not in the current section 19 but we believe it is covered by the directive. Once again, we will go back and look at this, and come back on Report Stage.

Section 27 refers to the regional spatial and economic strategy. Section 27(1)(f) refers to “a strategy relating to climate change adaptation and mitigation that reflects national policy objectives and provides for the coordination of public bodies in pursuance of the strategy”. We believe that what the Deputy is looking for is covered but with regard to the specific intent that the Deputy is seeking, we will look at it and come back on Report Stage.