Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman and all of the members of the committee for their hard work. Dia daoibh, a cháirde, agus fáilte romhaibh go dtí Seanad Éireann.

I welcome the young people who are here today. I look forward to hearing their voices, views and opinions on what we should do about this most important topic. They are sitting in seats that are normally occupied by Senators who make decisions that affect the future of everyone. We are delighted that the witnesses are here to engage with us and they come from counties Donegal, Roscommon and Dublin and even Clare Island in County Mayo. It is an important day when we will hear their views and ideas about climate action and climate justice. We want to hear what they think we should do to secure the future, which is now uncertain.

I thank the Chairperson of this committee, Deputy Brian Leddin, and all of the members of the committee and the Oireachtas who are here today. I thank the Minister of State, Senator Pippa Hackett, for attending also. We are proud that Seanad Éireann during its 100th anniversary has a Senator who has been appointed a Minister of State with responsibility for the important sector of forestry.

I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery Mr. Seán Campbell, CEO, and Ms Barbara Daly, chairperson, Foróige. I would also take this opportunity to thank all of the Foróige staff and all of the volunteers for what they do. I welcome Ms Renagh Hayden, Comhairle na nÓg and thank all of the staff and volunteers in that organisation. The national participation of these organisations and their staff is important.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Seanad Éireann. We launched the celebrations with the theme of Minority Voices, Major Changes and with us on that occasion was the former President of Ireland, Mrs. Mary Robinson, who for 20 years, as a Senator, sat in the seats in which the young people present now sit. She set us a challenge regarding climate action. She said: The Seanad can do more ... It’s an issue that the Seanad can raise on behalf of ordinary people.” She said that the climate issue "needs a constant everyday attention that the Seanad could give it. There’s an urgency about making this not an ‘expert’ subject but an everyday subject.”.

Greta Thunberg's simple action of protesting outside her own Parliament in Sweden on Fridays has led to millions of young people all over the world taking similar action by protesting outside the parliaments in their own countries. Outside of this Parliament we used to have protesters on Fridays and we have now invited the protesters inside so that we can hear their views, and opinions, on what we need to do.

Finally, I am delighted that there are Members from both the Dáil and Seanad present. I thank the Cathaoirleach of this committee, Deputy Brian Leddin, who is leading this important initiative on this historic occasion when we have young people in Seanad Éireann for the first time in its 100-year history in a formal setting as part of proceedings of the Oireachtas.