Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

100. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is concerned at reports that a member of the Climate Change Advisory Council appeared to be repeating talking points from lobbying by the data centre industry at an Oireachtas hearing (details supplied); his views on whether the Climate Change Advisory Council should be subject to the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27537/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Climate Change Advisory Council was established under section 8 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. The Advisory Council is independent in the performance of its functions, and is tasked with advising and making recommendations to the Minister and Government including but not limited to the national mitigation plan, preparation of the national adaptation framework, sectoral adaption plans, and policy relating to the reduction of greenhouse emissions.

While the Climate Change Advisory Council is not subject to the Regulation of Lobbying Act (2015), section 10 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act does require members to disclose any material interest.

General functions of the Advisory Council are detailed in section 11 of the Act. Section (11) - subsection 2 allows the council members to for the purposes of the performance of its functions a) to gather information as it considers necessary or appropriate and b) meet and consult with persons including members of the public as it considers appropriate.