Results 1,261-1,280 of 3,983 for speaker:Jennifer Whitmore

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: Yes. It is about the number of different mechanisms. If the witnesses are saying the key developments in relation to the SDGs from the departmental perspective are programmes like this, it should not be the programmes that are key developments. It should be the tangible measures and actions on the ground. This is where I am coming from.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Sustainable Development Goals: Discussion (21 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: Perhaps we can stick with that one, because it is a good example. There is no need for the CSO to report on that one because the indicators are clear that it is not working. Is there a mechanism for that to be updated and that policy reviewed without waiting for the CSO to report back? How does that work? I would at one stage have been very much in the witnesses' role. I would have been...

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: The Minister is saying we cannot include the sunset clause because it is needed until 2027. This Bill relates to the EPA assessment. The EPA will do that assessment once. We were told very clearly that the assessment would have to be conducted within a couple of months. The EPA will have done its job. It will have used the provisions of the Act and done the assessment in an expedited...

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: If this process goes through and the 450 MW is in place for this winter but another deficit arises next year and the Minister realises we need additional capacity, will this legislation enable the EPA to undertake a further assessment on additional capacity for winter 2024-25?

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: Where is that specified? I have done a quick search of Eirgrid, Electricity and Turf (Amendment) Act 2022 and 450 MW is not specified in that legislation.

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: I do not have that legislation to hand but I will take the Minster at his word. It still does not negate the fact that once the EPA has conducted its functions, this Bill is no longer necessary. Therefore, there should be a sunset clause included to ensure the emergency provisions, once dealt with, are negated and no longer possible to be used in any other process.

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: I move amendment No. 6: In page 8, after line 8, to insert the following: “(3) This Act shall continue in operation until 8 March 2025, unless a resolution approving the continuation of this Act has been passed by Dáil Éireann before that date and, in that event, this Act shall continue in operation until such date as is specified in the resolution.”.

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: I move amendment No. 7: In page 3, line 19, after “flora” to insert the following: “, in line with the provisions as set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021”.

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: I am glad to hear the Minister believes the sunset clause is already in place and that the Eirgrid, Electricity and Turf (Amendment) Act 2022 will cease operation in 2027 and that is-----

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: The project will cease. Its cessation being cast iron does not negate the need to have a sunset clause in this Bill, because the operation of this Bill only applies to the application. It is safe to say that once the EPA has granted that application, there is absolutely no reason it would need to retain these functions and powers for another two, three, four or however many years. I was a...

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: I move amendment No. 3: In page 8, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “Report on Implementation 9.The Minister shall, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas on the application of the provisions of this Act. This report shall include, but not be limited to— (a) the current and future status of energy...

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: I am not asking the EPA to come in; I am asking the Minister to come in, present that documentation and have a debate on it. I listened to what he said and hope and assume that the McCarthy report will be laid and there will be debate in the Chamber. I am happy to withdraw the amendment if the Minister makes a commitment to have a discussion in the Chamber on the McCarthy report and energy...

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: I withdraw the amendment on the basis we will have statements in the Chamber on the McCarthy report.

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: The first point is that the plan is not a statutory instrument. The plan is a plan. It is a policy. What I am talking about here is the Act and the legal requirements under it. I think the Minister just said that he thinks this legislation is consistent with the Act. Therefore, if he believes that it is consistent with it, I do not understand why he would argue against having a component...

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: I heard the Minister's response regarding this amendment meaning there would be a strengthening of the obligations and I do not agree. This amendment states that the Act and its provisions must be considered when this is being done. Those provisions outlined in the Act state that the Minister must "have regard". All I want to see happening is these provisions being taken into account....

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: All my amendment does is to say that the Minister and any relevant body shall in the performance of its functions have regard to the national mitigation plan, the national adaptation framework, the approved sectoral and adaptation plans, the national transition objectives and the objective of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. We all realise this is an emergency situation when it comes to...

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: I am sorry, but I am talking about amendment No. 7.

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: Even when we say-----

Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: I move amendment No. 1: In page 4, to delete lines 16 to 23 and substitute the following: “82D.The Agency, in considering designated applications, shall do so in a manner consistent with the plans, strategy, framework and objectives referred to in section 15(1) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015.”.”.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (8 Mar 2023)

Jennifer Whitmore: 66. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the Independent Review of Energy Security, being undertaken by a person (details supplied), will be finalised; when he will make the report publicly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11990/23]