Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Again, I note the economic issues are placed first, which could well trump anything else. Simply saying the Minister “may” consider additional economic issues or environmental issues is not the same thing. I would have to respectfully disagree with the point that these issues have been dealt with in the drafting because the drafting simply provides that a Minister for Transport can decide to think about biodiversity or the environment if he or she really wants to, and there is absolutely no obligation on him or her to do so. I note that public health is not covered by the economic or environmental consideration and that is why I have those separate amendments in respect of public health.

In regard to the short-term component, I would reserve the right to come back to address that issue in terms of the exemption in cases of particular urgency and the fact of that being a short-term measure. We would hope it would be a short-term measure but we have had emergencies that have lasted six months, eight months, a year and even two years. We are in a situation where, in terms of climate change, according to who one is talking to, we have five to ten years to turn it around. Therefore, every year matters, and every year of the next five to ten years matters profoundly. I indicate now that I may come back on Report Stage for further clarification around what constitutes a short-term measure whereby we decide we are going to allow for this use of oil and the exemption from renewable standards. I can certainly see a situation where, by using that economic argument, it gets pushed out for months and months, if not years and years. I will come back on that.

I regret that the Minister of State is not able to accept these amendments but I will have to press them.