Results 9,001-9,020 of 26,902 for speaker:Richard Boyd Barrett

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I accept that six months is probably tight, given that public consultation is required and essential to this. The strategic environmental assessment is also required. Nevertheless, two years is still too long, and I am not just saying that for the sake of making a political point. The Minister could achieve what needs to be done with the sense of urgency that is required while having the...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I will withdraw the amendment for now.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: In doing that, we are putting trust in the Minister.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I move amendment No. 13:In page 6, line 11, to delete "submit to the Government for approval" and substitute "submit to Dáil Éireann for approval". This is very important for many reasons. One of the reasons is that the issue of addressing climate change must become a matter that is at the right, front and centre of public consciousness. If it is something that is just discussed...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I wish to press the amendment. I am not convinced by what the Minister has said and would be curious to hear what other Deputies have to say. I have made my argument and do not see the logic of the course suggested by the Minister.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It is precisely as I said.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It is about pushing it to the front. Let us be honest, the issue is not central at the moment.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I wish to make one further point. I am trying to get my head around what the Minister has said and to understand the logic behind his opposition to this. If he believes this amendment dilutes in some way the requirement or compulsion on the Government, that is a legitimate concern. Perhaps he could clarify that. However, I do not believe the Government and the Dáil should be set off...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: We have rehearsed the argument so there is not a whole lot left for me to say. The Minister has said that we have European targets which are difficult to achieve and, therefore, Ireland does not need its own targets. In response, some of us are concerned that the Government is making a special plea to the European Union for exemptions to be applied in particular sectors.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Yes. There is a bit of slippage. One will get off the hook if one argues that there is something exceptional about the Irish economy and, therefore, the targets in a particular area should be relaxed. If we insert targets in the Bill then there will be no getting around the requirement for all sectors to move in this direction, and no exceptions. In fact, the Government would be in breach...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: As we have been over the argument, I will try not to repeat it. While we want to protect agriculture and the specific character of the economy and important sectors in it must be a consideration, in addition to what Deputy Mick Wallace has said on the matter, putting all one's eggs in one basket is dangerous, not just from an environmental point of view but from every point of view. We have...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I move amendment No. 17:In page 6, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following:“(e) specify the projected total national emissions for the period of the plan on the basis of all the policy measures specified in the plan.”.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: My position is the same. We have already had the discussion.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I move amendment No. 21:In page 8, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following:“(j) the need to promote sustainable consumption and production, (k) the protection and promotion of public health, (l) other benefits likely to arise from the transition to a low carbon economy, (m) the protection of and restoration of biological diversity consistent with Ireland’s...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The Minister's response is reasonable. I will re-enter the amendment on Report Stage.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I move amendment No. 22:In page 8, to delete lines 33 and 34 and substitute the following:“(10) A national mitigation plan shall be approved by a resolution in both Houses of the Oireachtas as soon may be after it is approved by the Government.”. In this amendment Deputy Murphy proposed that the national mitigation plan would be approved not only by the Dáil but by the...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: We had an earlier discussion in the context of another proposal. I think the Minister could deal with his concern by amending the legislation to the effect that there would be a legal requirement on the Dáil and on the Seanad to pass a plan. If there were binding targets and even if the Government were resisting them, it would have to have debate and vote on the nature of the plan. In...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I move amendment No. 23:In page 8, after line 38, to insert the following: “Progress towards targets5. (1) The Minister shall in each year, beginning with the year 2016, request the relevant body to prepare a report setting out that body’s views on—(a) progress towards achievement of—(i) annual targets, (ii) the interim target, (iii) the 2050 target,(b) whether...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: What is the number of the amendment?

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (9 Jun 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: What is the number of the amendment again?