6D. (1) The Minister may revise a carbon budget in the circumstances set out in subsection (2), (4) or (5).

(2) The Minister may revise a carbon budget where—

(a) new obligations are imposed on the State under the law of the European Union or any international agreement referred to in section 2, or

(b) there are significant developments in scientific knowledge in relation to climate change.

(3) As soon as may be after the end of each budget period, the Agency shall provide the greenhouse gas emissions inventory for that budget period to the Minister and the Minister shall review the greenhouse gas emissions during that budget period.

(4) Where the total greenhouse gas emissions for a preceding budget period are less than the carbon budget for that period, the Minister may carry forward the surplus from the preceding budget period to the current budget period and the current carbon budget shall be increased by the surplus carried forward.

(5) Where the total greenhouse gas emissions for a preceding budget period exceed the carbon budget for that period, the Minister shall carry forward the excess greenhouse gas emissions from the preceding budget period to the current budget period and the current carbon budget shall be decreased by the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are carried forward.

(6) The Minister shall consult with and consider the advice of the Advisory Council prior to requesting the approval of the Government in relation to a revision of a carbon budget under this section.

(7) The Minister shall, as soon as may be, submit the revision to a carbon budget under subsection (2), (4) or (5) to the Government for approval and the Government may—

(a) approve, or

(b) approve, subject to such modifications as they consider appropriate,

the revision to a carbon budget submitted to them under this subsection.

(8) A revision to a carbon budget under this section shall have effect from the date on which it is approved by the Government.

(9) Not more than 30 days after a revision to a carbon budget takes effect under subsection (8), the Minister shall publish the revised carbon budget in such manner as the Minister considers appropriate.]