Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown Excerpts

Thursday 12th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (DUP)]

My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Redwood. I give my wholehearted support to the fatal amendment in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Hoey. In her amendment, the noble Baroness poses a concerning question: how did the Government feel justified to introduce special protections for the Scottish island groups but not even to pause to consider special protections for Northern Ireland, which is more structurally dependent on sea transport?

The question was asked to the noble Earl on the Liberal Democrat Benches, who said that his remarks would be based on a point of principle. It seems that the noble Earl has one principle in his pocket for Scotland and then moves to his other pocket to take out another principle for Northern Ireland. When he was asked specifically to justify it, he said it was not for him to answer for the Government. He was asked not about the Government’s position but about how he would justify it, because he supports this SI. He was asked specifically to justify his support for it, but he failed to do so.