Results 7,881-7,900 of 8,245 for speaker:Bríd Smith
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: There are so many contradictions in what the Minister has said that I do not know where to start but I will start with where he finished. He will not encourage communities to produce their energy needs if he does not allow them access to the grid and remove the necessary burden of financial resources that they need in order to compete with the big players. It is just not fair. We are a...
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: Let us start with the communities.
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: I will finish with this point or we will be here all day talking about this. I totally disagree with the Minister's approach. I am not saying this is an alternative to everything else in the Bill. I would not get away with saying that. However, we must insert a clause in the Bill that legally allows communities and co-operatives access to the national grid without having the financial...
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: Why not give the direction?
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: I am not raising it as a problem, but as a positive.
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: I move amendment No. 10:In page 28, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following:"(11) The Minister shall also reserve a place on the Board for a representative of the not for profit environmental NGO sector with a record of campaigning against climate change and for sustainability.",". The thinking behind the amendment is that the mission of SEAI is to play a leading role in...
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: The Minister could appoint three of them. I could change the number to three.
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: The amendment seeks the appointment of "a representative of the not-for-profit environmental NGO sector with a record of campaigning against climate change and for sustainability". What would the Minister like that would give him more flexibility than that?
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: Exactly. That is why I seek to amend the legislation to reserve a place for someone with an environmental or community background. There is no shortage of NGOs and qualified people who have expertise and, not just an interest in, but a passion for this area. If the Minister were obligated by legislation to appoint such a person to the board, he would find him or her. However, the...
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: I disagree with that.
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: I disagree. The Minister is over-complicating something that is really just about ensuring that the lobby for sustainability and against climate change can set about doing things like giving communities access to the grid, empowering communities to produce their own electricity and moving away from the use of fossil fuels. It is about ensuring that the strong voice of that lobby is...
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: I do not wish to.
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: Yes.
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: I want the Minister to look at it-----
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: -----but I want it to stay there.
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: We can make a decision next week but I do not want it removed.
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: I am afraid I am a bit innocent on the procedure.
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: The Minister has a big team working with him.
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: If I do not withdraw it, what will happen?
- Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources: Energy Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Jul 2016)
Bríd Smith: Who gets to vote on this? Is it the Minister's team?