Section 23 provides for the Bill's Short Title. It allows for the collective citation and construction of the Electricity Regulation Acts 1999 to 2026 and enables the Minister to commence the Bill by order. I look forward to working with Deputies to progress the Bill, which is relatively technical. The changes it makes will make crucial improvements to the safety regulation of natural gas and LPG for operators, consumers and, importantly, the public. It will modernise our safety regime and bring currently unregulat…

It was not debated before.

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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht na leasaithe. We had good discussion on these on Committee Stage. The proposals mirror each other regarding the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, Act 1992 and the Waste Management Act 1996. They both concern the laying of orders made by the Minister under both Houses, setting timelines of six months on such orders, as the Deputy outlined. Section 7 of the Act of 1992 and the new section 44C of the Waste Management Act of 1996 already provide for the laying of such orders…

Yes. The proposal is to put any timeline on that as opposed to in the Act itself. This should be a very rarely used provision.

Labhróidh mé ar leasaithe a 4 agus a 11. I will address both amendments together. These proposals mirror each other with regard to the EPA Act 1992 and the Waste Management Act 1996. They would go beyond the obligations set out under Article 2(4) of the EIA directive and may not meet the objectives or purpose for which the emergency provision is required. I assure the Deputy that new sections 88D and 44B were drafted following detailed and considered deliberation with the Office of the Attorney General to ensure th…

Tá an freagra chéanna agam arís faoin na leasaithe sin, leasaithe a 6 agus a 13. Ní aontaíom leis na leasaithe sin agus nílim ábalta aontú leo mar gheall ar an freagra chéanna ar leasaithe a 4 agus a 11. They are already linked. These amendments are linked to the previous ones that we discussed, amendments Nos. 4 and 11. I refer to those new sections 88D and 44B of the Bill. It is the same answer that I gave previously. The proposed amendments would go beyond the obligations that are already set out under the EIA d…

Labhróidh mé ar leasuithe Uimh. 7 agus 14. Mar a dúirt mé cheana, níl mé in ann glacadh leis na leasuithe seo. Is é an freagra céanna atá agam arís. I reiterate that I am more than happy that the new sections 88D and 44B, as drafted, are fully compliant with the directive and san Acht forbartha freisin in 2024. Therefore, as set out on Committee Stage, bhí plé fada againn faoi na leasuithe sin sa choiste. We debated this matter at some length at the select committee. I am satisfied that the provisions contained in …

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht na leasuithe seo. Labhróidh mé faoi leasuithe Uimh. 9 agus 17 le chéile. These amendments again relate to the EPA Act 1992 and the Waste Management Act 1996. They propose that ministerial regulations be prescribed in the context of timeframes for decision-making and the reporting obligations of the agency. Regarding the proposed new subsection (4), provision to prescribe such regulations is already provided for in the new section 90B(2)(c) of the EPA Act and the new section …

For the information of the House, Committee Stage of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 is starting at 3.30 p.m. The Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, will come in after I have spoken. Officials will take note of matters raised by all Deputies here and we will respond. It is outside my control as the committee meeting was scheduled by the committee. Since 2022, we have seen significant increases in the prices that households and businesses pay for energy. This has come alongside general inflation …

I move the following Further Revised Estimate: Vote 29 — Climate, Energy and the Environment (Further Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €980,504,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2025, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment including certain services administered by that Office, and for payment of certain grants.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht na ceiste ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo ach ní aontaím léi ar chor ar bith. I do not agree with her at all. The measures that have been taken in the budget are targeted to help those who need them most, particularly in the area of social protection. We have increased the fuel allowance substantially and expanded it to about 460,000 households right across the country. The Deputy has ignored that, one of the most significant changes we have made. Another change, on foot of the …

-----the extension and expansion of renewables into our grid, a project that Deputy McDonald's party seems to be flip-flopping on north of the Border. I have met her party's ministers in the North of Ireland, who are for the project; its Deputies in the South are opposed to it. This is a permanent measure that will deliver affordability.

I have met Caoimhe Archibald and Liz Kimmins. All of the Deputy's colleagues in the North are taking the right position. They want to see this delivered. What do we do in the meantime? As regards energy, we unquestionably have affordability issues. That is why we established the national energy affordability task force. We have brought forward interim measures already. That work is continuing and we will publish a report in 2026 looking at some permanent measures that we can change. What the Deputy has not referred…

I have answered the Deputy's question directly. For many families, it is not easy and the State is there to support them. That is why we have expanded the social protection measures that are targeted at those who need them. The Deputy made no reference to that. Again, it is in stark contrast to what her colleagues are doing in the North in relation to helping with fuel bills. The fuel allowance payment in the North of Ireland is between €113 and €340. The Deputy probably knows, but she will not say it here today, t…

That is true. Let us leave the politics piece out of it. I can say to families out there that the Government and the State will work with them right the way through this winter to bring about permanent affordability measures. I have mentioned retrofitting.

The Deputy is opposed to carbon tax. The carbon tax is invested in people's households to bring about permanent changes to their homes, permanent affordability measures and permanent health measures to their homes. This year 60,000 homes will be retrofitted.

First, may I deal with this charge that the Leader of the Opposition and the leader of the Labour Party have made that the Taoiseach is in some way absent. He is on Government business.

He is at the G20 Summit. Should he not go to that as Head of the Irish Government? Should he not go EU-African Union Summit?

I know Deputy McDonald is just back from New York as well, but he was actually on Government business. Deputy McDonald was probably fundraising over there, filling the Sinn Féin bag full of cash.