I move amendment No. 58: In page 28, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following: “(2) Where a termination of a remote working agreement occurs due to circumstances described in subsection (1)(a), the termination shall only be valid for the period in which such seasonal variations occur and upon the conclusion of that period the flexible working agreement shall resume.”.

I move amendment No. 68: In page 34, line 31, after “her” to insert “or their”. I welcome section 34 and think it is inclusive language in recognising women and other persons who may need to avail of the provisions in the section. This is a technical amendment. In order to be consistent with the inclusive framing that has been used, if we were to say "her or their", it would be consistent with the "women or other persons" language. Again it is inconsistent with what is an otherwise appropriately well-framed section…

I move amendment No. 1: In page 8, to delete lines 25 to 28 and substitute the following: “(b) For the purpose of paragraph (a), the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications shall consult with— (i) the Minister for Finance, (ii) the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, (iii) the Minister for Transport,”. There are a number of these amendments grouped together. Some of these arise from questions I raised here in the earlier session and a number of them I have been able to resolve myself, by ex…

No problem. Given I am from County Galway myself, it is lovely to meet all the students. Amendment No. 26 again relates to section 58A of the 2007 Act, as amended. It seeks to delete the proposed changes in this context to section 44D of the 2007 Act, as amended, which again is around the issue of being able to review the percentage rate regarding renewable transport fuel obligations, while amendment No. 27 seeks to make the same deletion in regard to section 44J. Amendment No. 28 to section 18 seeks to insert a ne…

The delegation order is a little strange. It seems like a retrospective way of amending something that would not normally be done. If the Minister has already been effectively consulted, unless there is a specific remit for a Minister of State, it is hard to see how it will work. I understand the reasoning. I have tried to bring in requirements, for example, for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consult the Minister of State with responsibility for heritage. Such consultation would usually …

It would be helpful to have a briefing on the biofuel issue, in particular, and the buyout clauses.

I thank the Minister of State.

I will say a few words in conclusion, if I may, because once the group is dealt with, I cannot speak further on these amendments. As a member of the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action, I am conscious of how Departments are keen to push all the responsibilities in this area onto other Departments. The climate issue is crucial and we are torn between aiming for the ideal, which is every Department taking full responsibility, and a more practical approach. The safety net to my mind is the both-and appro…

I move amendment No. 2: In page 8, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: "(VI) the Climate Change Advisory Council,". Amendment No. 2 seeks to provide that when making regulations under section 44D of the 2007 Act, as I mentioned previously in respect of biofuels and crop caps, which are very much a land use issue rather than a transport issue, as well as consulting the bodies already prescribed under the proposed paragraph (b), the Minister would also consult the Climate Change Advisory Council, CCAC. …

I move amendment No. 3: In page 9, between lines 35 and 36, to insert the following: "(VI) the Climate Change Advisory Council,".

I move amendment No. 4: In page 10, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following: "(iv) the potential impacts on biodiversity, the environment and public health;". Amendment No. 4 is also to give assurance because, along with the transfer of powers, there is no sufficient nuancing of the Minister's mandate to make things very clear, besides the fact that the Government has obligations under the climate action plan. The mandate for making regulations is not as clear as it might be, which is a concern. Amendment …

Again, I note the economic issues are placed first, which could well trump anything else. Simply saying the Minister “may” consider additional economic issues or environmental issues is not the same thing. I would have to respectfully disagree with the point that these issues have been dealt with in the drafting because the drafting simply provides that a Minister for Transport can decide to think about biodiversity or the environment if he or she really wants to, and there is absolutely no obligation on him or her…

I move amendment No. 5: In page 10, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following: “(iv) the potential impact on public health, including in respect of air pollution;”.

I move amendment No. 6: In page 11, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following: “(iv) the Climate Change Advisory Council,”.

I move amendment No. 14: In page 11, between lines 26 and 27, to insert the following: “(iii) the potential impacts on biodiversity, the environment and public health;”.

I move amendment No. 15: In page 11, between lines 26 and 27, to insert the following: “(iii) the potential impact on public health, including in respect of air pollution;”.

I move amendment No. 18: In page 13, line 1, after “Minister” to insert “, the Climate Change Advisory Council”.

I move amendment No. 19: In page 13, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: “(ii) the potential impacts on biodiversity, the environment and public health;”.

I move amendment No. 20: In page 13, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: “(ii) the potential impact on public health, including in respect of air pollution;”.

I move amendment No. 21: In page 14, line 21, after “may” to insert “, subject to consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications,”.