Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for making her points so well. The SDGs are, as she said, not legally binding but the Paris Agreement is and it refers to them. The Paris Agreement is directly referred to in this legislation. We should also bear in mind the SDGs are time-bound to 2030 whereas this is legislation focused on 2050 and as such it goes beyond that date. The SDGs will be referred to in the climate action plan and there will be an SDG implementation plan later this year. The SDGs should be referred to throughout all our legislation, not just the climate Bill. We must ensure we are consistent in those ways. I do listen to the Senator's points.