Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
157. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has intentions to reform the legal mandate of Gas Networks Ireland in order that it aligns with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22561/24]
View answerGNI is a “relevant body” under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 (as amended by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021) (the “Act”). The term “relevant body” includes a “public body”, which is defined by reference to the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and includes “a company (within the meaning of the Companies Acts) a majority of the shares in which are held by or on behalf of a Minister of the Government”).
As a relevant body, it is required by Section 15 of the Act to, in so far as practicable, perform its functions in a manner consistent with—
a. the most recent approved climate action plan,
b. the most recent approved national long term climate action strategy,
c. the most recent approved national adaptation framework and approved sectoral adaptation plans,
d. the furtherance of the national climate objective, and
e. the objective of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change in the State.
As such, GNI’s legal mandate does not require to be reformed to comply with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 (as amended by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021).
