The piece that is crystal clear is the proposing by the advisory council but the approval is subject to amendment by the Minister or the Government, which is the problem. It is why I have proposed and believe there should be clear interim targets in the Bill that stand alone. The political commitment should be there and as an agreed point it should be in the law. Instead, as part of the muddying of the waters, there is the process involving the advisory council. It is meant to be an independent body and I hope the …

It is around the fact that there is a provision for what the proposed carbon budget would be but after that proposal there is a long process that must be gone through. I would prefer if the 51% target were attached to the output point, which is the approval by the Government, as well as the initiation point, which is the proposal by the advisory council.

I move amendment No. 70: In page 14, line 8, after "is" to insert "at least". This again points to the fact that the specific target shall be 51% in the specific year. As it stands, the Bill does not set any trajectory or guarantee a reduction of emissions all along. It could be argued that this is required but it may allow emissions to rise as we go along. What was so clear from all the witnesses before the climate committee was the need for a flight path. I had an amendment ruled out of order that would ensure an…

I am speaking about the advisory council having greater ambition.

Yes. The Government would decide whether to accept that.

Amendments Nos. 70 and 71 are different approaches. I will withdraw amendment No. 70 but press amendment No. 71.

I move amendment No. 71: In page 14, line 8, after "is" to insert "a minimum of".

I move amendment No. 72: In page 14, line 34, after “1992” to insert the following: ", including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities in respect of that objective,".

I move amendment No. 73: In page 14, to delete lines 40 and 41 and substitute the following: “(II) relevant scientific advice, including advice from the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change,”. It is the same point about relevant scientific advice and the IPCC. I do not need to go over it again.

I move amendment No. 74: In page 15, line 7, to delete “have regard to” and substitute “be consistent with”. It relates to being consistent with the functions of climate justice which we discussed. We have had lengthy debate on that and I will be bringing back new amendments on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 75: In page 15, line 7, after “justice” to insert “, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities,”.

I move amendment No. 76: In page 15, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “Modification of the 2030 target 6AA. (1) The Minister may by regulations modify the percentage figures applying for the purposes of the 2030 target, so as to substitute a higher figure for the one for the time being mentioned in section 9(5).”. This amendment is intended to introduce something of a ratchet mechanism. I believe it is imperfectly worded so I am going to withdraw it and bring back a different version of a ratchet mec…

I move amendment No. 78: In page 15, line 31, to delete “and”. This amendment is consequential on other amendments.

I move amendment No. 79: In page 15, to delete line 33 and substitute the following: “appropriate, and (c) trade unions, community groups and non-governmental organisations as he or she considers appropriate.”. This amendment relates to the same issue of trade unions. I will come back to that under just transition on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 85: In page 16, line 37, after “Government” to insert “and the Government of Ireland”. I will withdraw this amendment and reserve the right to submit it on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 86: In page 16, line 37, to delete “, in so far as practicable,”. I will withdraw this amendment and reserve the right to submit it on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 87: In page 16, line 38, to delete “his or her” and substitute “their”. I will withdraw this amendment and reserve the right to submit it on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 88: In page 16, between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following: “(13A) A Minister of the Government, shall not perform his or her functions in a manner acknowledged by that Minister or by the Minister to be inconsistent with a carbon budget that has effect under subsection (7) or (11) as the case may be.”. I will withdraw this amendment and reserve the right to submit it on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 90: In page 17, line 39, after “Government” to insert “and the Government of Ireland”. I will withdraw this amendment and reserve the right to submit it on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 91: In page 17, line 39, to delete “, in so far as practicable,”. I will withdraw this amendment and reserve the right to submit it on Report Stage.