Results 3,861-3,880 of 4,573 for speaker:Brian Leddin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: COP28: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: Okay. I thank Mr. Murtagh.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: COP28: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: It is the fairness aspect I am alluding to. We would be ignoring fairness if we were to look just at the superwealthy. We must target them but the other 10% of people are incredibly wealthy and privileged by comparison with the rest. It is not fair to the rest if we are not looking at that 10% of people referred to who are taking 70% of flights. Politically, if we are just talking about...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: COP28: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: I never used the word "populist".

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: COP28: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: I fundamentally agree with those points, but I am referring purely to the aviation issue, in particular, and to maritime, to a certain extent.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: COP28: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: On the aviation emissions, against the argument to levy aviation tax and a tax on maritime fuel as well is that we are an island. The context is very different here to that of member states across Europe and that all has to be part of the discussion. Did other members wish to speak?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: COP28: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: I will bring it back to COP28. Is there something there in respect of data centres and the international picture? I do not know. Is the challenge of data centres, from a climate point of view, being discussed at international level? We are talking about it nationally. It is a very important conversation but, surely, other countries are hosting a lot of data centres. Is that discussion...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: COP28: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: It is not on the agenda of COP28, as far as we know.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: COP28: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: The argument is that, if the data centres were not in Ireland, Moneypoint might not be running at all and would not be getting coal from these places. It is fair to call what is happening in these places human rights crimes. I thank Mr. Murtagh for that. There are no other questions from members so we will-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: COP28: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: I thank Mr. O'Neill for that. It is a very worthwhile suggestion. We would probably struggle to fit it in before Christmas as there are only a few weeks left but let us keep it in mind for early in the new year. It would be very useful to have a debrief on COP28, setting us up for the following year. This meeting has been very informative. There are a few very immediate asks of the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (28 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: 71. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress which has been made by the steering group to advance the flood mitigation works at Ballycar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52303/23]

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: I commend the Minister for bringing the Bill to the House. It is certainly a mammoth piece of work that, as Deputy Matthews said, will have a generational impact because we will be living with the consequences, good or bad, of this Bill for many years to come. I hope the Minister has got it right. Getting it right is critical because if we want to create a healthy, happy and thriving...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: I have received apologies from Deputy Alan Farrell and Senator Lynn Boylan. The purpose of this morning's meeting is to discuss the review of the climate action plan 2023 with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The Minister and his officials are very welcome. Before we begin, I will read out a note on privilege. I remind the witnesses of the long-standing parliamentary...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: I thank the Minister for his opening statement and the detail that is in it. At the outset, I commend the Minister, as I would any Minister who is leading a Department that is going through a significant change in the next few years. Agriculture certainly is one of the principal ones. Deputy Bruton needs to leave. Does the Deputy want to come in to ask a question now? I can bring the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: If the Deputy can come back, that would be good. I thank the Deputy for that. Deputy Whitmore is next.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: Does the Minister want to respond to that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: I thank Deputy Whitmore. I will use this Government slot as no other Government members are indicating. I wish to pick up the Deputy's question on the challenge of sustainable food production and how we use land. I will focus on dairy. It is arguably the food the wider world needs and it is premium markets we are sending it to, which is certainly good for our economy and for those...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: My apologies for interrupting Deputy Murphy, but I have received a message from Deputy O’Rourke, who needs to go.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: Does Deputy O’Rourke wish to contribute now? He is tight on time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Brian Leddin: We can be if Deputy Murphy has lots of questions.