Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 21 October 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action

General Scheme of the Circular Economy Bill 2021: Discussion (Resumed)

Photo of Pauline O'ReillyPauline O'Reilly (Green Party)
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I thank Dr. Brennan. She mentioned insurance, which is something we discussed last week. I am coming from the perspective of volunteers who organise things that require insurance. It is a real difficulty in respect of the circular economy, as I see it. Dr. Brennan might explain, from her point of view, what she believes are the financial barriers for companies and how we can overcome them. Is there something we could put into this Bill? Apart from the Bill, what do the Government and the country need to do to ensure all the financial barriers are overcome?

Dr. Brennan mentioned, either in her opening statement or in response to Deputy Bruton, the importance of regulatory certainty for companies. Will she expand on that? It is an important and interesting point when we are looking at new investment into Ireland. What does that mean for companies? Why is regulatory certainty so important? I can probably anticipate what the answer will be, but it is important to have it on the record. When it comes to maximising profit, as most companies are required to do, how does the circular economy fit into that? It becomes important to have things in legislation when companies are trying to overcome that necessity of maximising profit, and how does that fit into a circular economy for the country?