I move amendment No. 18: In page 10, line 38, to delete "the need to promote" and substitute "Ireland’s commitments under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the need to promote long term". We do not need to go over this again. This amendment is about the need to promote Ireland's commitments under the United Nations sustainable development goals and the need to promote long-term sustainable developments. It seeks to ensure that when we talk about sustainable development we are talking about long-t…

My apologies to Senator Gavan, as his name was first on that amendment so I should have had him move it.

I will press amendment. No. 18.

I move amendment No. 19: In page 11, between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following: “(s) access to environmental information and justice, including in respect of Ireland’s international obligations under the Aarhus Convention.”.

I move amendment No. 21: In page 14, line 5, after “Council” to insert “and approved by the Government”.

Amendment No. 21 points to the fact that the 51% is only there as a proposal of the Climate Change Advisory Council. While the Government is obligated by the national climate objectives, this is not in fact language that clearly states this 51% will be approved by the Government and that carbon budgets that reach this particular target will be approved. It simply states in the Bill that they will be proposed. It would be appropriate and strong and a better reflection of the political commitment to put such a commit…

I move amendment No. 22: In page 14, line 8, after “is” to insert “at least”.

I move amendment No. 28: In page 18, to delete lines 19 to 23.

This is simply to provide that, where the performance is better than anticipated with regard to the carbon budget, the gain may not be carried over for the next carbon budget because our national share of emissions is still out of proportion and we should be consistent with the principle of highest-possible emissions ambition. It is a straightforward amendment, which involves the deletion of the provision on carrying over.

I move amendment No. 29: In page 18, between lines 40 and 41, to insert the following: "(7A) The Advisory Council may issue a formal request to the Minister, asking him or her to exercise his or her powers to revise a carbon budget under this section, where the Council believe that a greater reduction in greenhouse gases has become necessary due to either of the factors specified in subsection (2).".

Recognising that it is the Minister's right and prerogative to revise a carbon budget, the amendment seeks that the Climate Change Advisory Council would have the power to request the Minister to revise a budget if it is concerned about those factors that can trigger a review, for example, a sudden or radical change in the science or a change in EU law. It is not giving the council the same powers as the Minister but allowing it to request that the Minister use his or her powers to revise a budget.

While that covers how the targets are being met, it does not provide for a revision of the targets to make them more ambitious, if that is required.

I move amendment No. 32: In page 23, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 9 of Principal Act 14. Section 9 of the Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (16)— “(16A) For the avoidance of doubt the Advisory Council may not delegate functions to a committee referred to in subsection (16) if such functions include or are related to the setting or proposal of carbon budgets.”.”.

This was the exact point at which the debate ended on Committee Stage. Unfortunately, it was only halfway through the Bill. The Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth was responding. There were serious concerns that relate to the original 2015 Act but which are still in this Act whereby some of the safeguards that have been put in place did not apply to everybody. The 2015 Act allowed that the advisory council could set up subcommittees and could delegate functions to subcommittees. Amendment no. 32 seeks to be cle…

I regret that the Minister cannot accept my amendment in terms of the delegation of functions. I urge that attention is paid. It may be a matter to be tracked and carefully monitored and reflected in the report of the advisory council in order that there is clarity that the key decision-making functions are not delegated to subcommittees but are voted at council level and that the powers are centred on that balance of expertise and gender the Minister has tried to set up within the advisory council in other parts o…

I move amendment No. 33: In page 23, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: “ Amendment of section 9 of Principal Act 14. Section 9 of the Principal Act is amended in subsection (16), by the deletion of: “, and (b)perform such functions of the Advisory Council as it may, with the consent of the Minister, delegate to the committee.”.”.

I move amendment No. 34: In page 23, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: “ Amendment of section 10 of Principal Act 14. Section 10 of the Principal Act is amended in subsection (1) by the insertion of “or a committee” after “a member of the Advisory Council”.”.

I move amendment No. 35: In page 26, line 37, after “body” to insert “and the Government of Ireland”.

I propose that amendment No. 39 be taken separately.

I move amendment No. 39: In page 28, between lines 33 and 34, to insert the following: “ Amendment of section 37B of National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 20. Section 37B of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 is amended by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (13): “(13A) The Minister may not provide monies paid out of the Climate Action Fund to any oil companies who are subject to levies under section 37 of this Act.”.”. I wish to take this amendment separately because it concerns a sl…