Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am not sure if this is in my grouping but I want to point to the question in the section with regard to who is on the advisory council. The part I am concerned about is on the subcommittees of the advisory council. The subcommittees do not have to meet the same criteria in that members are not necessarily members of the advisory council. The committee can maintain other members. There may be only one member of the advisory council on a subcommittee. Functions, including the setting of carbon budgets, can be designated to that subcommittee.

The concern with that is that one may have interests, including some of those which have been discussed, such as other bodies. One of the bodies which needs to have a careful relationship, in this regard, is the Electricity Supply Board. I was hoping we would have time to discuss greater transparency in terms of the investment measures of the Electricity Supply Board. I am concerned that there may be major investors in the Electricity Supply Board, under its new enhanced powers, who may end up on a subcommittee, according to the Bill. I am not saying that would be the intent of the Government but the Bill, as drafted, and the 2015 legislation provide for that. That may be slightly more to do with the next amendment.