The kernel of this Bill is that it will stop opportunists with no interest or involvement in music, sport or entertainment at the expense of sports and music fans, sporting bodies, artists and promoters. They are not my words. Rather, they are the words of the Minister of State. That is good enough for me. I thank the Minister of State for pursuing this matter as quickly as he has. I fully support every aspect of the Bill. I also thank the Minister of State for acknowledging the generous contributions the former De…

I will be brief because I am conscious of time. Am I correct that we are speaking to amendments No. 41 to 53, inclusive, and 55 and 56?

I wish to echo what Senator Higgins has said and I support her. She has made a good case, particularly in relation to the social and environment role of agriculture in its broadest terms. I will refer to that when I comment on the section later because there are a few things I wish to say. The development goals are very important. Many Senators are seen wearing the sustainable development goal badge around the place with great pride. We talk and argue about sustainable development and they say "but" and "because it…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, as I should have done earlier. He is my local Green Party Deputy and I also served with him as a councillor for some years on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. I wish him well in his work in government. Amendment No. 58 relates to the Aarhus Convention, which I have heard the Minister of State comment on many times. I took the time to look at the Green Party's website the other night and I compliment him on his party's excellent website. A lot of historical…

I do not like anyone implying that because someone is not in this House, he or she is less committed to legislation. That should not be allowed and should be corrected.

That was last Friday.

Does that justify Senator McGahon doing it?

I would like to speak on amendment No. 58, which refers to the Aarhus Convention. Senator Moynihan touched on the article written by Colm Keena in The Irish Times . Its reference to engagement over access to environmental information was an awakening for all of us. This is a simple amendment but it is perhaps one of the most important. I do not like the idea that anyone should attempt to trivialise the Aarhus Convention. It is a comprehensive convention and covers many areas. It refers to access for environmental i…

I want to speak briefly on section 6. Amendment No. 54 was ruled out of order. It related to milled peat and the sustainability of the Irish mushroom food sector which now faces a total wipeout unless something is done. I do not want to mix up the two issues in regard to this Bill, but we have talked about social, environmental, cultural and economic roles. It fits in with this. This issue was selected to be in section 6 and that is why I want to raise it. I accept the ruling from the Cathaoirleach that the basis o…

It is a positive relationship.

I move amendment No. 77: In page 15, line 20, to delete “may” and substitute “shall”. I thank the Acting Chairperson. I will make a start and keep the show on the road. This amends section 9 on page 15, line 20. It would delete "may" and substitute "shall". The amendment would be made to section 9 on carbon budgets and compels Dáil Éireann to refer a carbon budget proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council, finalised by the Minister and approved by the Government to a joint committee which shall consider the c…

I take it everyone was listening and I will not have to repeat myself for another 15 minutes, not that I did the first time. The Minister of State was beginning to set out his very considered and detailed response and rationale regarding the proposal and I look forward to hearing from him.

Without going into too much detail, one is either committed to something or one is not. I am not talking specifically about the Minister of State. Putting in "may" is a bit vague. It involves ticking a few boxes. I hear the Minister of State's response. He is not prepared to accept it. What is to be expected?

Yes.

Senator Fitzpatrick might have addressed some of those issues. The Minister mentioned amendment No. 10 in the name of Senator Fitzpatrick. I understand, however, that it is a repetition anyway but that it is covered and both parties are happy. I am happy with that. I thank the Minister and Senator Fitzpatrick.

Hear, hear.

I thank everyone, particularly the Minister. I wish to be associated with his comments thanking his staff and office. I know those people work exceptionally hard. I also thank the Bills Office, which does an amazing job. Special thanks are due to Martin Groves and his team in the Seanad Office for the enormous amount of work they do and the manner in which they keep us on track. That is important. My biggest thanks are due to the people who have proposed and worked on the amendments. There were 23 amendments to thi…

I warmly welcome the Minister to the House. This is perhaps one of the most important pieces of legislation we will be discussing. I am fully supportive of agriculture. I am from a family that is steeped in agriculture and the very humble but very rewarding trade of cattle dealing. We do not see too many cattle dealers around today but that is where my stock is and my origins are and I am always proud to touch base with that. I support agriculture, as everyone does. The first few speakers all teed up in the first s…

I move amendment No. 13: In page 7, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “ ‘just transition principals’ means the principals which identify the importance of taking action to reduce net Irish emissions of greenhouse gases in a way which— (a) supports environmentally and socially sustainable jobs, (b) supports low-carbon investment and infrastructure, (c) develops and maintains social consensus through engagement with workers, trade unions, communities, non-governmental organisations, representatives of t…

Senator Gavan said some telling words to the effect that just transition should be at the heart of climate action. That is the message and I fully believe and support it. I will be supporting both Sinn Féin amendments, Nos. 15 and 16. I have already spoken about my own two amendments that are a part of this group of which I hope the Minister will be supportive. I failed earlier to acknowledge the enormous work of the just transition group within the Green Party. It is an amazing group of people who have done an ama…