Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 30:

In page 18, line 32, to delete "30 days" and substitute "10 days".

This amendment also addresses the issue of delays. The Bill provides that the expert advisory council shall, not later than 30 days after the completion of the periodic review, prepare and submit to the Minister a report on the review. Why would it take a month to do this? It is the same theme. The council has approximately a dozen members who will prepare their thoughts. This approach seems a strange way to operate. I do not understand the reason for delay, which is in the context of many delays throughout the Bill and the failure to quantify targets. This gives the impression that we need to speed up. I am reassured by the Minister of State's comments that he intends to speed up - for instance, by his use of the phrase "not later than." We would all be delighted if the task could be completed earlier, because Ireland has been falling behind on climate change and achieving environmental targets.

The amendment addresses a similar theme to the previous amendment and I hope it is not repetitive or boring. A sense of urgency is required.What are these 30 days to be used for, given that the report will have been completed? It should be sent on to the Minister and put up on the website so that we can get cracking on this task.