David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

What is the point about the just transition policy if everyone passes the buck? Mr. Carroll's Department is the line Department responsible for making sure that we have a just transition. We all knew that this was coming down the tracks for years, yet what do we see when two plants were closed prematurely but Ministers scrambling down to the midlands, money being made available in the budget, no clear plans, strategy or engagement, and no clear framework?

I welcome this Bill, which will hopefully provide some coherence if it is enacted. I am not hearing any urgency from the Department other than telling me what was in the budget and what might be put in place and what may happen. There is no sense of any urgency or of any clear strategy from the Department.