Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the delegates for their presentations. While I welcome the opportunity to have an input into this process, I have some concerns which I will try to set out in a concise manner.

In terms of how we, as a committee, and the representative bodies organise our work and ensure transparency, given that this is an issue of national conversation, should these hearings not be held in a format similar to that used in considering the protection of life during pregnancy Bill in the Seanad Chamber? It is important that we get this issue part of the national consciousness. The three contributors have referred to the ambitious targets we are required to meet. However, they will not be met by those of us present at this meeting. The public must also be engaged in this process. I would, therefore, welcome feedback from the delegates on the issue of public engagement.

On the advice given to the Minister that we should not set targets, I understand the Minister has stated that that is the advice of the Attorney General. It would be useful, again in opening up the debate on this issue, if the joint committee could have sight of that advice. Mention was made of Ireland becoming a carbon-neutral society by 2050. The targets of a 20% reduction by 2020 and 80% by 2050 are high. Ireland has, through the offices of the Minister, called on the European Union to set out clear targets. It appears that the logical thing to do would be to also provide for this in Irish legislation. In other words, in calling for the setting of clear targets by the European Union there is a requirement on us to also set out clear targets in domestic law. Perhaps an official from the Department might comment on this suggestion.

Also on targets, there is a long road to be travelled between now and 2050. An issue of concern to me from the commencement of this process is that if we do not set clear five year targets by way of a roadmap, etc., given that Governments come and go - as the maximum term of office of a Government is five years, we could have two or three new Governments in ten years; we once had three new Governments in two years - we could end up having in place a Government that was not as committed to tackling the climate change problem as another, leaving a lot of ground to be made up between before 2050 and the possibility of us meeting a carbon cliff. It appears logical that we should not kick the can down the road on this issue and leave open to any Government the possibility of deviating from the targets set at any time in the future. This is a matter of shared responsibility. Each Government and all of us need to do what is required between now and 2050 to achieve carbon-neutrality. I would welcome a comment from the delegations on this issue.

Head 10 of the Bill provides for reporting on progress to the Dáil. It would also be useful to include at that point in the Bill that such a report from the Taoiseach be made on an annual basis. Overall, given that we are asking the public, businesses and the local authorities to engage in this process, it is important that it is opened up from the start and that people are made aware of the importance of this issue. The process must be transparent and people must be convinced that they are part of it. If we are not transparent in how we do our business, including in publishing the Attorney General's advice and reports on the matter to the Dáil, we will not capture the public mood and good in the way we need to do.