Mr. Brian Carroll:

As Deputy Dooley will know, the just transition commissioner has just been appointed and the terms of reference have been published. They include engaging with all the relevant stakeholders, including Bord na Móna, the ESB, the trade unions and workers' representatives, local community organisations and so on. There is a long list published in the terms of reference. The commissioner, having engaged with the stakeholders and taking account of good practice elsewhere - domestically and internationally - is to make recommendations about the essential elements of a just transition for workers and communities, including through the measures announced in the budget, implementation of other actions under way, including under Project Ireland 2040, and any additional actions and measures deemed appropriate, as well as optimal structures and processes to support a co-ordinated approach. The commissioner will report quarterly to the Government, through the Minister. In the first instance, having just been appointed, we must give him a chance to set about doing this work and see what recommendations he chooses to make, having engaged in the way envisaged in the terms of reference. The commissioner will be supported by a secretariat both in the midlands transition team and by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.