Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I absolutely do, as is my wont. I will just reply. I take the Minister's point about respectful politics. I agree on that. The Minister has always operated on that basis and I acknowledge that. It is disappointing he is not accepting the amendments because, as I said earlier on, they were on the schedule for debate in the Dáil so they are not new in this House, although we are making the same efforts with them the Deputies in the Dáil could not. They seek to define "just transition". I am somewhat surprised the Green Party does not wish to include such a definition. It may explain why there was such a divergence of views in the run-up to the formation of Government and, in the past 12 months, with regard to groups which have worked very hard and with regard to trying to build momentum to bring about this significant change. It is clear those who thought themselves pragmatists decided to go one way while others who decided to stay out of Government and all of that kept beavering away, resulting in this distance. I am now beginning to understand.

This is quite a profound statement from the Minister and it is important to trap it on the record of the House. He has set out clearly here today that he is rejecting the definitions of "just transition" that have been set out in these different forms and shapes. This does not sit comfortably with what I have been led to believe was the Green Party position, with what the people who came to my door advocated or with what the Green Party has set out on its website with regard to its commitment to a just transition. The Minister is accepting the amendment of one word. I would have been surprised if he had not accepted the Green Party amendment as he is a member of that party. That is no big surprise. That is what it was. The Minister is prepared to accept that. I have no difficulty in accepting that and I have indicated I will support it. I thought that was important.

If I may seek some guidance as to Standing Orders from the Acting Chairperson, am I the only person who is allowed to reply to the debate given that it is amendment No. 13 which has been moved? Am I right in that?