Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I think we should all be entitled to do that in the House tonight.

I support the People Before Profit motion and have co-signed it with 25 other Deputies. The first point I want to make on the process is to note that there is already precedent for this policy of seeking to prohibit the issue of licences for exploration for fossil fuels off coastlines. In December 2017, France passed legislation to end new licences for oil and gas exploration and to cease all oil and gas extraction by 2040. In that December also, the World Bank made the hugely significant decision that it will no longer finance upstream oil and gas projects after this year. Costa Rica has introduced a moratorium on petroleum exploration until at least 2021 and in January of last year the Belize Government announced legislation to end offshore fossil fuel exploration due to the impact on its barrier reef.

The Government's countermotion notes the need to reduce fossil fuel consumption across the entire economy to make progress towards the national transition to a competitive, low-carbon, climate-resilient and environmentally-sustainable economy by 2050. Part of that process has to include the measures contained in the Bill. Recent research indicates that policies targeting fossil fuel supply are an important complement to measures aimed at reducing demand. While an immediate ban on fossil fuel use is not being advocated in this Bill, it is clear that the phasing out of fossil fuels and the increase in the use of renewables must be radically speeded up. The EPA has stated that we need a stronger incentive to move away from fossil fuel use and that fossil fuel investments carry major financial risks. It urges that investment be directed away from fossil fuels towards sustainable, low-carbon alternatives. That is why this Bill must progress to the next Stage. It must move on to Committee Stage where amendments can be tabled and robust discussions can be had.

As currently drafted, the Bill can be interpreted as not removing the option of indigenous reserves exploration until existing licences expire. As far as I can tell, opposition to this Bill by industry, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Government is based on the hope of retaining the option of continued exploration and the opening up of new fields beyond existing licences. Industry and the Government claim that the Bill will not reduce Ireland's emissions but it is clear that the enactment of this legislation will promote the transition to a decarbonised economy. Ireland is completely behind in achieving its climate and energy obligations. We are known internationally as a climate laggard.

A full 71% of global emissions are the responsibility of just 100 companies. That is why we need to address the issues raised in this Bill. This legislation is supported by many groups including Stop Climate Chaos, the Environmental Pillar and Trócaire, not to mention the thousands of young people who were out on the streets protesting two weeks ago. As Deputy Pringle said, if the voting age was reduced to 16, this Government would not be re-elected because all of the 16 year olds out there would take on the Government and hold it to account for not progressing this legislation.

On the question of process, this Government has continuously tried to thwart Bills from the Opposition. We have seen it with the money message delays and the activity on this legislation that we have seen this evening. We have also seen it with regard to a Bill I submitted in 2016, namely, the Thirty-Fifth Amendment to the Constitution (Water in Public Ownership) Bill. Last year the Minister asked for three months to come back to the House with an amendment. We are still waiting for that amendment to come back from the Attorney General, even though we have raised it time and again. The Government has been kicking that particular can down the road for two years at this stage. It uses every means available to push back and kick the can down the road on Bills that could actually make a difference.

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