Climate action plan after ruling
Deputy Ryan asked how the Government would respond to the Supreme Court decision striking down the climate mitigation plan and whether legislation might be altered. The Taoiseach said the Government had an ambitious climate agenda, accepted the judgment, and would bring forward a comprehensive new Bill with strong targets and independent oversight.
Will the Taoiseach outline the Government's plans to proceed with its climate action plan in light of the recent Supreme Court decision in the case of the Friends of the Irish Environment v. Government of Ireland? In this case, the Supreme Court decision in effect quashes the climate mitigation plan. Is there a timeframe for the delivery of the new mitigation plan? Can the Taoiseach assure the House the Supreme Court judgment will not be undermined by legislative changes, for example, by amending or removing section 4(2)(a) of the Act on which the judgment is based? Will the Government implement a new general obligation on every organ of the State to perform functions of the State compatible with the objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the aim of the Paris Agreement?
Comment on this
The Government has a very strong climate change agenda. It is quite radical and transformative and I hope the Deputy will support all aspects of it. Her party opposed the cross-party approach to climate change in the previous Oireachtas and tends to take an à la carte approach to climate change when it suits. We take the Supreme Court judgment on board. The new climate change Bill will be quite comprehensive and set strong targets. Crucially, there will be an independent oversight approach in terms of the council that will be established as a result of the Bill passing in the Oireachtas. The Deputy can take it that we will seek to strengthen oversight and the whole approach and thrust of climate change policy.