Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 8, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: "(VI) the Climate Change Advisory Council,".

Amendment No. 2 seeks to provide that when making regulations under section 44D of the 2007 Act, as I mentioned previously in respect of biofuels and crop caps, which are very much a land use issue rather than a transport issue, as well as consulting the bodies already prescribed under the proposed paragraph (b), the Minister would also consult the Climate Change Advisory Council, CCAC. This is a crucial issue because land use is such a fundamental part of the achievement not only of Ireland's climate targets but also the collective global effort in respect of climate change.It is a crucial issue. The Climate Change Advisory Council would be able to give suitable guidance on the aspect of section 44D that relates to biofuel.

Amendment No. 3 seeks to provide that the Minister, when making regulations under subsection (1B) of section 44G and when consulting the bodies already prescribed, must also consult the Climate Change Advisory Council, again for similar reasons. Amendment No. 6 seeks to provide that before making regulations under section 44GA, the Minister shall, in addition to consulting the bodies already prescribed, consult the Climate Change Advisory Council. These basic amendments look to the Climate Change Advisory Council, which is in a position to keep a single issue to the fore, that is, Ireland's achievement of its climate targets and carbon budgets, within which all policy must operate. We have five-year budgets. The sectoral targets that flow from these must also be to the fore. Including the council, which is not focusing on multiple competing issues such as transport demands and hubs but on a single very important issue, that is, the impact in terms of our climate targets, would result in a very useful perspective in the making of all the regulations. I realise the Environmental Protection Agency is included but it is dealing with many other issues – for example, the many toxic components of fuel, the impact of fuel on the environment, and public health. The Climate Change Advisory Council would have something very specific to bring.