Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to thank Ms Justice Laffoy, the secretariat to the Citizens' Assembly and indeed the members of the assembly itself for the very important work that they have done. Ms Justice Laffoy is here to represent them today and I want to offer our thanks to them through her.

As always, Ms Justice Laffoy has given a very comprehensive presentation so there is a limited number of questions left to ask, based on the clarity that she has provided us with. Ms Justice Laffoy raised a point, if not a challenge for us, in terms of leadership of citizen and Government and the political process generally if we are to address climate change. The commentary around that would be that Ms Justice Laffoy was able to spend 26 hours with 99 citizens and was able to infuse in them a clearer understanding of the challenges that we face as a society. It is very clear from the work that she has done and where the information is provided in a calm, collected and a balanced way that people get the message. Unfortunately we do not have the capacity to take the general population, 99 citizens at a time, and spend 26 hours with them. That is why the work of this committee is really important.

I am sure Ms Justice Laffoy would agree that there is a burden of responsibility on organs of the media to reflect the discussion here and attempt, insofar as they can, to inform the citizens in a calm and collected way, and in a manner that will help to inform and educate. That is a challenge. I would like to hear of any ideas Ms Justice Laffoy might have in that regard because that would be helpful to us. The reality is that if we are to get the political process, or get decision-making at Government level, we have to see it in a manner other than that of the short-term electoral cycles. Decisions will be taken by this Government that will impact not just on society but right the way through on future Governments and decisions taken now will have to be followed through. To get that kind of buy-in from those who have to seek election, there is a necessity for the citizens to be informed and be prepared to accept the decisions, whether it is increased taxation, it is impact on agriculture or it is a significant burden of taxation to address the investment in public transport. All of these measures will take really big political decisions. It is important that in attempting to get the political process to make the decisions, the citizens are well enough informed to accept these changes, and to continue to support the politicians who believe that these measures have to be implemented. That is the real challenge.

I would welcome any ideas or thoughts which Ms Justice Laffoy might have in taking the debate wider than just the 99 that could be helpful in informing the public at large. The public understands that climate change is a real issue. They do so in the different sectors as well. Take for example the agricultural sector which was affected dramatically this year by the intensity of the summer period and the heat, and the impact that has had on planning for fodder and the potential of a future fodder crisis. I refer to the impact of the weather last year and the heavy rains and the extent to which that made some farming practices unviable because of the shortage of fodder. The flooding crisis, the snow that we had earlier this year and the extreme storms are all pointers to very significant climate change.

People may talk about it, understand it and recognise what is happening but it may not impact on their particular way of life. Somebody may see a fodder crisis but it may not have an impact on his or her life. People may continue to do what they have always done in terms of burning diesel in their car, or having a home that is poorly insulated and using energy unnecessarily. They may not want to make the connection as to the tough decisions that will be taken by Government that will impact on their lifestyle and force them to change their habits, but for the benefit of all.

The next phase that I see is trying to engage with the citizens to build the understanding that regardless of how one lives one's life, one will have to change significantly for the greater good of all. The issue will be to communicate that.