Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We are here today because Ireland is seen as failing on every climate target. As the Taoiseach stated just a few months ago, Ireland is a laggard. All the information is stacking up to show us this. The IPCC report just last week gives us a 12-year window. As a result, our ambition in this area cannot be great enough. I have a number of questions about just transition. In her report, Dr. Quinn rightly recognises the economic opportunities which come from the transition to low-carbon and circular economies. However, she fails to refer to the impacts on employees and communities which have come to depend on this fossil fuel economy. These impacts are significant and we must address them out of concern for the welfare of the citizens and communities involved. In addition, failing to ensure a just transition makes making the transition even more difficult. What is the Department's understanding of the just transition process and what are its plans for the coming years? We have a just transition commission, and SIPTU, ICTU, Fórsa and IMPACT have all been working on this issue for some time. What is the Department doing to help the trade unions support their employees? Could the witnesses give an indication of specific things it is doing in this regard?

Health, the arts, education and community work are low-carbon job areas in Ireland, which is great. What supports is the Department giving to these industries to grow in the context of climate? Is it refusing to support the expansion of fossil fuel-based economic activity? From an enterprise perspective, has it set a line in the sand and said, "That is it. It is over. No more support for the fossil fuel-based industry."?

Regarding renewable jobs, at least 7,200 jobs in solar are waiting in the pipeline. David Connolly's Green Plan Ireland and the Northern Ireland Green New Deal Group have both outlined how there are opportunities for 100,000 new jobs if Government takes action now. I do not see any mention of this kind of ambition in Dr. Quinn's report. Why is that? As Professor Ferguson outlined, an opportunity exists. Why are we not unleashing this opportunity? We do not see it in Dr. Quinn's report.

Regarding FDI, Microsoft, for example, is looking for 100% renewable energy to run its offices and IDA Ireland is not providing this. Why is that the case? Ireland is the second windiest country in Europe after Scotland. In Scotland, 50% of renewables are owned by community co-operatives. Why are we not doing the same here? What measures could be put in place to support the community co-operative system? What is the Department doing to provide good-quality jobs in cheap energy for rural Ireland?

What is its definition of "sustainability" in the context of climate change? What is the analytical approach used by the Department in assessing the sustainability of business in Ireland? Does the Department carry out carbon footprint analysis? Does it measure material flows? Does it have a unit with the necessary expertise to analyse the sustainability and climate impact of policies which affect business? How-----