Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2022
56. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 90 of 24 May 2022, if commercial semi-State bodies are exempt from obligations under the Climate Amendment Act 2021, given that they are exempt from freedom of information under the Freedom of Information Act 2014; and if the Climate Action Framework for the commercial semi-State sector is outside those obligations. [46917/22]
View answerSection 15(5) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 states that a ‘public body’ has the same meaning as that defined in the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI Act). All bodies that conform to the definition in Section 6(1) of the FOI Act are subject to the requirements of Section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 unless they are in whole, or in part, specifically exempt, any such exemption would be pursuant to Section 6(2) or 6(3) and Parts 1 and 2 of Schedule One of the FOI Act. Therefore, of the specific bodies referred to in Question No. 90 of 24 May 2022, Ervia, the ESB, Bus Átha Cliath-Dublin Bus and Coillte Teoranta are not public bodies, and consequently not ‘relevant bodies’ for the purposes of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. However, the recently approved Climate Action Framework for the Commercial Semi-State Sector (www.gov.ie/en/press-release/bd704-government-approves-climate-action-framework-for-the-commercial-semi-state-sector/) provides an opportunity for commercial semi-states to demonstrate their commitment to Ireland’s climate goals. This Framework comprises a series of commitments for all semi-state companies to deliver on climate action, and it will support and encourage all semi-state companies to play a lead role in Ireland’s transition to a carbon neutral economy and society.
