Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This proposed amendment seeks to insert the word "published" before the phrase "scientific or technical advice" as one item that must be considered. When the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Government perform their functions in respect of national adaptation frameworks and sectoral adaptation plans, I appreciate that publication is a necessary element of the peer review process of academic articles. However, the phrase "scientific or technical advice" is a somewhat broader concept and includes valuable learning which may not be in the form, or yet in the form of published academic articles. It would be restrictive to limit relevant scientific or technical advice to only published articles, not least because the climate change advisory council may proffer such advice to the Minister or the Government outside the concept of formal peer review. This does not necessarily limit its value. Therefore, I cannot accept this amendment.