Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair. It is unusual to have two Cathaoirligh in the same session but this is a historic occasion. This is the first time in the 100-year history of the Seanad that we have ever had a sitting like this. The people here join the ranks of very few, about 800 people, who have ever sat in the chairs where they are now sitting, debating the very important topic of climate action and climate change.

In about 2015 the Pentagon and the Vatican said in the same week that the most important topic facing the world was climate action and climate justice because that was what was driving much of the migration and conflict in the world in terms of resources. That is over seven years ago yet we now see the manifestation of that where we have loads of conflict in the world and droughts which are driving civil wars and wars of resources, water being the most important. We see that with the resources around fossil fuels and now, with the war in Ukraine, the issue of food security all of which is tied up with climate action.

With all the problems we are facing, the root cause is something that is within our gift and the power of humanity to challenge that and take the crisis on and solve it. At this moment, the global economy is committing vandalism on an industrial scale on the environment, the planet and all its citizens. We must understand that when it comes to millionaires, billionaires, companies and corporations - and some governments - the bottom line is the bottom line: it is about making profit. They are profiteering at our expense.

It has been said that we need a radical change to our society and we do but the question is whether we are going to make those changes in our own behaviour. It has been pointed out that people talk about how every action we need to take is but a drop in the ocean in solving the problem of climate change but it is all the drops in the ocean that will probably put together enough water to put out the fire. I think it was Douglas Adams who said that no drop of water ever believes it is causing the flood and in the same way we all think it is not ourselves but the people in other countries, that country, organisation or that person. We are all the solution to the problem. John F. Kennedy said that everybody can make a difference and everyone should try. By our guests' presence here today and this event they are making a difference. We must all continue to keep trying.

I thank all the members of the committee who are here on a Friday. This meeting was inspired by one person, Greta Thunberg, and I think we will all thank her for this. She started with one protest which has led to all these protests. This is a form of protest but those here are no longer protesting outside the gates. We are delighted to have them inside the gates making the change. I thank them for being here today. I thank the Chair and everyone here.