Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As mentioned, following discussion on Committee Stage about the importance of including on the transport subgroup a person who has relevant climate expertise, I have proposed a number of amendments to section 34 that I believe fully address the matter. Amendment No. 26 proposes that where the mayor is appointing a person to the transport subgroup, they will consult the EPA to ensure someone with the relevant climate expertise is a member.

Amendment No. 28 proposes that the transport subgroup chaired by the mayor will have a role in supporting the implementation of the climate action plan for Limerick. These amendments are similar to the amendments proposed to section 33, on the delivery board. As I outlined, given the transport subgroup will be a subcommittee of the delivery board, it is appropriate that the provisions apply to both committees.

Amendment No. 27 is simply a minor technical drafting amendment consequential to the substantive amendments. I trust Senators to support these important amendments.

Separately, the Civil Engagement Group has two amendments in this grouping, which I would like to speak to. Amendment No. 29 is a retabling of a Committee Stage amendment that would oblige the transport subgroup to act in accordance with the Paris Agreement, the United Nations sustainable development goals, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We discussed these matters in depth on Committee Stage last week and touched on some of these issues with earlier amendments. As I outlined on Committee Stage, sustainability is a central element of the State's long-term strategy. The main function of the transport subgroup, like the delivery board, is to support the implementation of Limerick city and county plans. These national, regional and county plans and strategies will specifically inform transport infrastructural services. As these frameworks are already aligned with, or incorporated in, the UN sustainable development goals, it is not necessary to reinstate our obligations in this regard.

On a technical point, amendment No. 12, which was discussed earlier and was tabled by the Civil Engagement Group, provides a definition for the UN sustainable development goals but no definition for the Paris Agreement, of which there is no reference in the Statute Book. In respect of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Ireland has signed up to and ratified the convention and, as such, all arms of the State are bound to the obligations contained therein. Again, therefore, I believe that amendment is unnecessary.

One element of amendment No. 29 proposes that the transport subgroup shall act in a manner consistent with the climate Act 2015. I believe this matter will be well addressed by the amendments I have proposed for the section, which I have just outlined. We recognise local government has a key role to play in implementing adaptation and mitigation measures to support Ireland’s climate targets. Under the 2015 Act, each local authority must prepare climate action plans and implement measures to be adopted in this regard. While the plans must be aligned with national climate policy, local authorities can take their own approach to the design and structure of their plans, thus providing them with the opportunity to take a more place-based approach. I believe that is supporting the implementation of the Limerick climate action plan, which will shortly be delivered. I can confidently say the Bill deals effectively with the matters addressed by the amendment, and the amendments I have tabled today will give further effect to them. For these reasons, I believe amendment No. 29 is unnecessary.

Amendment No. 30 is an amendment consequential to amendment No. 29. It proposes that a report be prepared on the performance of the subgroup's functions to include the new functions proposed. On a technical point, these provisions do not appear to be especially well aligned with certain functional issues that are not in the reporting requirement and vice versa. In any event, for the reasons I have outlined, the first amendment is not needed and, therefore, the requirement for the second amendment falls. More generally, the Bill already provides that the transport subgroup may prepare reports in respect of the functions it considers necessary. It will be a matter for the subgroup chairperson to decide, if and when such a report is prepared, whether it will be provided to the Minister for Transport, given the primary focus of his role is transport matters separately.

In respect of climate action plans, given the planned process has a built-in mechanism for reporting on the implementation, I do not see the need for further reporting mechanisms or duplication of that which is provided for in the proposed Government amendment. Therefore, I believe amendments Nos. 29 and 30 are not required.