Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am very happy to have a few minutes to contribute to the debate. I commend my party colleague, Deputy Sean Sherlock, for tabling this important legislation and allowing us to address what is an important issue. As others have stated, it is not the most important environmental issue with which the House will grapple and the legislation will not bring climate change to an end. However, passing it would be an important incremental step. We will not address the degradation of the environment in one item of legislation. Looking at all of the component parts and the actions of humans that impact adversely on the sustainability of the environment and the future of humans, animals and fauna, taking action incrementally, step by step, is the way forward. This is an issue which has been clearly identified and to which the solution is straightforward. For that reason, there is no discernible argument there should not be consensus across the House, which consensus should migrate into direct action.

I also congratulate Senator Grace O'Sullivan who tabled a similar Bill in Seanad Éireann. It is important that we do not let go of these things and that we push and argue until such time as we make a difference.

I welcome the contribution of the Minister for Housing, Planing, Community and Local Govenrment because I was a little dismayed when I read the Order Paper and saw that there was amendment to deny the Bill a Second Reading. I am glad to say the amendment was not moved.

I am a tad confused. Since the next speaker is the Minister of State, he might tell me exactly who is responsible for dealing with these issues. The initial critique and rebuttal of the Bill were made by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, who referenced it at the Environment Council in Malta in recent times. Deputy Simon Coveney is not the Minister with responsibility for the environment or the marine. I am not quite sure where the Minister with responsibility for housing comes into it.

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