Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 77:

In page 15, line 20, to delete “may” and substitute “shall”.

I thank the Acting Chairperson. I will make a start and keep the show on the road. This amends section 9 on page 15, line 20. It would delete "may" and substitute "shall". The amendment would be made to section 9 on carbon budgets and compels Dáil Éireann to refer a carbon budget proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council, finalised by the Minister and approved by the Government to a joint committee which shall consider the carbon budget and provide a report in writing containing its recommendations to both Houses of the Oireachtas within two months from the date on which it is presented to Dáil Éireann. Without this amendment, I argue this referral is at the discretion of the Lower House only. We have discussed this in great detail in both Houses and there has been very valid engagement with the Minister of State, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the Department on these matters. I therefore think it appropriate and right that the matter should come back to both Houses of the Oireachtas, in other words, Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. I hope the Minister of State will support the amendment. It makes reasonable sense and is fair. It recognises the significance and importance of both Houses and also the significance of the Members of both Houses who served on the climate action committee. I have commended the committee already but do so again. Much work was done and committee members had a lot of input into this. Many of these issues have been gone through and teased out by those who were present. It would be right and appropriate to acknowledge that and to deal with those issues in relation to both Houses.