Results 901-920 of 4,573 for speaker:Brian Leddin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: Is a similar system to the carbon trading market envisaged but using environmental or biodiversity credits? Has that idea been mooted at an EU level?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: Thank you for that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: I thank Dr. O'Mahony for that. Could he say more about how the current system is not working for farmers? We can say it works for a certain proportion but is it fair to say that for the majority, the system is not working? That was a strong message in his opening statement. If he wants to say more about that, it is an important message to go out.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: Do any of the other witnesses wish to come in on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: I thank the witnesses and Deputy O'Rourke. I was going to say, "Professor Bruton". Deputy Bruton is next.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: I will jump in on this. Something that has been troubling me in recent weeks is the pseudo-science of cost-benefit analyses. We use this methodology when we invest public money in anything and for good reason. We want to figure out whether it makes sense and have to be careful about how we invest public money. Does Dr. O'Hagan-Luff have anything to say about how good cost-benefit analysis...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: Senator Pauline O'Reilly is next.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: Up next is the person in the Green Party who talks about future generations all of the time, Deputy Ó Cathasaigh, who is our resident expert.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: I thank Deputy Ó Cathasaigh. First, before I suspend the meeting to bring in the next guests, I thank our three guests who came in this morning to share their expertise with us. For my part, I found it a very educational piece. I expect that colleagues also did. I thank members for their engagement. The questions were very pertinent and got to the challenge that we have. We got...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: I welcome, from the Department of Finance, Mr. David Owens and Mr. Seán Judge. Before we begin, I will read a note on privilege. I remind witnesses of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: I thank Mr. Owens for his opening statement. It was very thorough, which we certainly appreciate. Members may indicate and we will make a list. I will go first. A big part of the discussion in the previous part of the meeting was about the alignment of policy with the challenge we have. Mr. Owens acknowledged towards the end of his statement that many of the very good policy instruments...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: I will extend the question to focus on green bonds. In the earlier session, Deputy Ó Cathasaigh referred to the €150 billion on deposit in Irish banks. That figure dwarfs the €3.15 billion we will get from a hugely positive measure between 2026 and 2030. Is there an alignment with Irish green bonds and nature restoration, or is there work to be done? Is it very much...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: Deputy Devlin is next.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: I will bring the discussion back to something that is very much within the remit of the Department of Finance and speak a bit about the carbon tax, which is hypothecated. I had never heard that word before the 2020 programme for Government negotiations. The receipts are set aside or ring-fenced, politically at least, for retrofitting, social welfare measures and agri-environment schemes...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: It is therefore very beneficial. Has the Department published anything with respect to the biodiversity impact of that segment of the carbon tax revenues? If not, would it consider doing so?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: It is a matter for that Department's side. The Department of Finance just collects the money.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: I do not want Mr. Owens to speak for that Department but there may also be a role for the Department of Finance because it collects the money. I suggest that it is important for the Department that collects the money to look at the outcomes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: If the Department could take that on board, it would be good to see an official analysis. I see Deputy Bruton returning. He probably has more questions. If not, we are probably at the end of the session. We are just past 2 p.m. and it has been a very long session, albeit a very interesting one. There is a great deal for us to take away from this and think about as we go into the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: Two major parts of the solution to climate change are switching to rail transport and promoting it as much as possible and developing district heating systems in our towns and cities. Both solutions require appropriate development densities that are much higher than is the norm in this country. As well as being an important element of tackling climate, higher density, when done right, lends...

Situation in the Middle East and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Statements (18 Oct 2023)

Brian Leddin: Everybody in this House should be, and I believe, is appalled and repulsed by the attacks on civilians by Hamas militants earlier this month. We can only try to imagine the horror of those innocents in their final minutes and hours. Indiscriminate murder, torture and violence should play no part in the pursuit of freedom and self-determination. The wrongs, subjugation and brutality do not...