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

I note the Senator's consideration of the potential for biodiversity and other public health impacts within the context of debate on renewable transport fuels, and I believe these considerations have already been provided for in the drafting of the Bill. In sections 44G(1B) and 44GA, it provides that the Minister for Transport “may have regard to such other matters as he or she considers appropriate relating to the effects, if any, of increased consumption of renewable transport fuel in the State on economic activities in the State and on the environment”. In my view, biodiversity, public health and air pollution are covered by the word “environment”.

Regarding section 14 and the exemption from the biofuel blending provision in the Bill, this would only be applied in the very limited circumstances of an urgent emergency release of oil reserve stock that cannot be blended due to the urgency. It is a short-term measure to alleviate an imminent energy shortage, an outlier event and one which would also potentially have an effect on human health but which should not give rise to systemic or long-term impacts. As a result, I do not agree to accept the amendments proposed.