Results 2,301-2,320 of 4,573 for speaker:Brian Leddin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Brian Leddin: I thank Ms MacAvilly. Does Mr. Foley want to have the last word?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Supply and Security: Discussion (30 Aug 2022)

Brian Leddin: I thank Mr. Foley and Dr. Ryan. It is just after 4 p.m. I thank all our guests for coming in today. It was an incredibly thorough discussion and very complex in parts. I thank members and non-members for their contributions, which were very valuable. We could probably stay here for a few more hours to tease this out more but we will not. We might have the witnesses in at some future...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the sectoral emissions ceilings. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and his officials. Before we begin, I will read the note on privilege. I remind witnesses of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: Thank you for your opening statement. Before I open the meeting to questions, I would like to let members know that the Minister is available until 3 p.m. I think that should be sufficient time for him to answer questions. As usual, I propose that each member is given two minutes to address their question to the Minister. That is to ensure everybody gets a chance, but of course we will go...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: Perhaps I might jump in there. For the benefit of the Minister, we have discussed, as a committee in private session, the fact that the resources of the committee are limited enough and it is an incredibly technical subject. I did bring the issue up with the working group committee. The Taoiseach was in before the summer and he gave his informal approval that there would be some kind of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: I defer to the Minister's vast experience in the matter. I think it is something that we should probably discuss, as a committee, and push for as a priority. I believe Deputy Bríd Smith has joined us virtually from her office.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: Can we let the Minister answer?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: I am not allowing a back and forth on this. The Senator can come back in for the second round.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: I want to be fair to other members who are waiting to ask questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: There is less than an hour and there is time to come back in. I will let the Minister come back this time and then I will go on to the next contributor.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: The last issue is not quite related to today's discussion.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: I will leave it to the Minister to reply, if he so wishes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: This is my last question. I wish to build on Senator O'Reilly's point on the local authorities. The challenge with much of climate action, especially in housing and transport, is very much in the hands of our city and county councils. I had the pleasure of visiting the active travel unit in Limerick last Friday. It has a new office on Michael Street. I was really impressed with its plans...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: It seems to me there is a gap still. It is both an accounting and an accountability gap at the local level. It is something that needs to be explored further. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, has a key role here. It might be something we come back to. It is certainly very important. I thank the Minister present for his answer. We will go the second round of questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: Deputy Whitmore raised a fair point. Limerick is different than our other cities, in that it does not have a serious traffic problem and has underutilised rail infrastructure. I am not convinced that Limerick needs a BusConnects level of investment, given that we can easily get the buses working in Limerick and take other good measures. I might discuss this matter with the Minister...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: I thank the Minister. Senator Higgins is on mute. I am going to move on to Deputy O'Rourke.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: The Senator may quickly ask for clarification.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: Deputy O'Rourke was not suggesting that we give up.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (13 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: It is a good point about the role of the other Departments and committees. I do not have any other members indicating and we are just about approaching 3 p.m. I thank the Minister and his officials for attending today and for engaging with the committee. I thank members for their thoughtful questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Derogation and Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (14 Sep 2022)

Brian Leddin: Yes.