Results 17,881-17,900 of 26,924 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: We can press and withdraw.

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 acknowledge that the Minister is saying that he is open to further amendments around these areas. However, I do not accept the choice that he is giving us or at least I do not think the stark choice he is giving us is the right way to look at this, particularly if we talk about exceeding targets, saying it could damage our economic recovery. It sees the argument put forward by people...

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 reality, the amendments we would like to see could only be tabled by the Minister. We can make the arguments and table amendments on Committee and Report Stages to flag issues, but in reality, only he can table the amendments required. The amendments are a way of flagging the need to go much further than the Minister is willing to go in the Bill and move beyond tokenism and aspirations...

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: Even if it is pushed to a vote?

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 Chairman has more or less answered my query. It means that the amendment we voted on can be raised again.

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 had thought the same as the Chairman.

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 welcome the open approach of the Minister at rhetorical level and the positive indications that he is willing to consider further amendments tabled by us, or himself, based on the discussions we have had. I am just catching up with the debate. I came in a little late because I was in the Dáil. The point I really want to make is that while we can all make very positive noises about...

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. 11:In page 6, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following:“Advice before setting annual targets 6. (1) The Minister shall, before laying a draft of a statutory instrument containing an order under section 5(1)* before the Government, request advice from the relevant body. (2) The request for advice shall include requests for the relevant body’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: This amendment is proposing to ensure drift does not happen. This smacks of kicking an issue a considerable way down the road in a worrying way. If the Minister wants to make an argument that this takes a bit of time and there is some work to be done, he could plausibly make an argument for a year. The provision for two years is really crazy and there is no sense of urgency in saying we do...

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...