Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 February 2021
21. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has reviewed the Joint Committee on Climate Action’s report following pre-legislative scrutiny on the draft of the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6301/21]
View answerThis Government is committed to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, equivalent to a 51% reduction over the decade and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. A key aspect of delivering on this ambition will be enacting the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill, which will strengthen the climate governance framework which underpins the on-going development of policies and measures. I welcome the extensive pre-legislative scrutiny report on the Bill, published by the Joint Committee on Climate Action on 18 December. I was very pleased to note that the report was informed by an extensive engagement by the Committee with relevant experts, including both oral evidence and written submissions to the Committee. I am aware separately that civil society organisations have also contributed their perspectives to the Committee’s work on the Bill and I also welcome their engagement in this process.
I am currently considering the report and its recommendations in the context of the overall framework and objectives of the legislation. I intend to revert to Government in the coming weeks to seek approval for publication of the final text of the Bill, including any amendments arising from the pre legislative scrutiny process, and will then initiate the Bill in the legislative process in the Oireachtas.
