Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 4, to delete lines 16 to 23 and substitute the following: “82D.The Agency, in considering designated applications, shall do so in a manner that is consistent with the plans, strategy, framework and objectives referred to in section 15(1) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015.”.”.

We want assurances from the Minister of State. From our reading of the Bill, it is trying to override section 15 of the 2015 Act, which relates to relevant bodies. There is already a great deal of flexibility in section 15, in that a relevant body - in this case, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA - need only have regard to the various plans and strategies and not be consistent with them. Professor John Sweeney described this get-out clause at the time as "weasel words". What is the rationale for giving further flexibility in paying attention, and having due regard, to the Act?