Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Can I just tell the Deputy that I can appreciate why he is doing this because as I call out of this kind of tactic, it is uncomfortable for him and it is uncomfortable for Sinn Féin? Let me tell the Deputy that there are no pedestals over here. I am trying to get the balance right between decisions that I know are needed to help our country in the years to come, to deal with trying to avoid the collapse of our environment and our biodiversity and to help in the here and now with the challenges and hardships that are here, which are created by the war and created by inflationary pressure. I accept that these will be added to by changes the Government is trying to make to help to deal with where we are with climate. This is what I am trying to do. I am trying to get that balance right.

Deputy Doherty referred to experts and to me being out of the country. Did the Deputy have his radio off yesterday when we heard the chairman of the Climate Change Advisory Council say this change is needed? Is the Deputy aware of that? The experts the Deputy refers to, including the person who chairs the panel that advises the Government, said that on balance, a change like this is needed and can play a role to fund the kinds of things we will need to do to help avoid the scale of climate challenge that we could yet face. This is what the experts said. I know that the Deputy is aware of the majority of expert advice that says these are part of the changes that are needed. The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, and the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, have made a commitment that will bring forward measures that would aim to mitigate the effect of this on many at a time of difficulty. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, and I will do it. Deputy Doherty must not think that he will get away with trying to delegitimise or challenge the intentions of those of us who are in government and are trying to do our best to represent those who are in need at the time of great challenge. We understand that. We understand the challenge we are facing. Deputy Doherty does not have a monopoly on compassion and he certainly does not have a monopoly in understanding the kind of changes coming up that are needed in respect of climate. The Government will, in the next few weeks, bring forward measures that will do as the Taoiseach has outlined.