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

Senator Boyhan has proposed an amendment that suggests that it be a requirement for Dáil Éireann to refer a carbon budget to a joint committee to consider. My problem with that is that I do not feel it is appropriate for our legislation to legislate requirements on to one of the Houses of the Oireachtas. It is also a highly unusual thing to do. How the Oireachtas conducts its business is a matter for Standing Orders. For that reason, we drafted it as a suggestion. Even then, that is unusual. The Bill states that the Dáil "may" refer to a committee rather than "shall". For that reason, I do not think it would be appropriate to accept this amendment.