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

I am grateful for the opportunity to address the amendment and, I hope, to have the Bill passed by the House. The amendment relates to section 15 and was tabled following discussions between my Department and the Office of the Attorney General. It was determined that it would be appropriate to table an amendment to section 15 on Committee Stage in order to clarify the basis on which the Minister may support climate action projects.

The aim of the amendment is to provide legal clarity beyond any doubt in support of the intention in the Bill that it would be possible for the Minister to provide funding for climate action projects by way of either a competitive process or a non-competitive allocation. Acceptance of the amendment would mean that it would not be mandatory for the Minister to conduct a competitive project selection process prior to supporting a climate project through the climate action fund. The Minister would be permitted to invite an application for support under the fund from a specific climate action project, subject to the project being of a type which may be supported by the fund as provided for in the Bill. Clarification of this matter in the legislation is important because there may be climate-related projects or investments that are not economic or commercial by nature and, as such, may not be eligible for consideration or successful under a competitive selection process. The amendment will provide the necessary certainty that the fund may support such non-commercial projects as applicable.

As Deputies may recall, the amendment was tabled in the Seanad with a view to being able to pass the Bill today. That, in turn, would allow us to get it to the President for signature such that it could be enacted before the end of July or on 1 August. That would allow us to start drawing down funds at that stage for use in the fund. It is hoped that this would be quickly followed by another call for projects. That would provide a significant stimulus and economic lift right across the country as well as helping us to meet our climate targets. On that basis, I hope the House will agree to the amendment.

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