Ms Marie Donnelly:

I will start with the issue of using the land both for rewetting and for forestry.

The council has repeatedly asked the Government to finalise the land use review and, when it is finalising it, to come forward with policies for the restoration and rewetting of lands so that we can start the process of achieving those outcomes. One concern we have has come up in conversation with the agricultural sector, for example. We have not had clarity yet from the Government on what the land use review will say on actions that need to be undertaken depending on the kind of land. In the case of mineral soils, peat soils and deep peat soils, for example, we need to know what actions that are beneficial to the climate, to nature and to nature restoration need to be taken. The first question is what needs to be done, the second question is how it will be done and the third question is how can landowners and farmers be supported in doing that. In some instances, it will mean a decline in productivity which is a decline in income. We have to be fair; we cannot have one sector of society suffering without suitable compensation. We have repeatedly called for the Government to finalise the land use review and come forward with policies and implementations, including timelines and support measures, for the achievement of the objectives of that exercise.

On justice and the transition, we said in our analysis that the transition is not necessarily equal for all in society in Ireland because some sectors will need considerably more support than others. This is part of the just transition we need to ensure is in place. At a global level, regarding the Paris Agreement, we have focused on the temperature issue but the agreement is not just about temperature; it is also about technology transfer and financial support for the countries suffering most because of climate change. When we say we need to have a fair and just approach to the delivery of the Paris Agreement, we emphasise that climate and temperature monitoring are key elements. As a nation, we have a responsibility to support other parts of the world with technology transfer and financial support.

On Government clarity on the roll-out of renewables, the incentives for commercial investment in generation are in place, consistent with the European electricity directive. The issues we are most concerned with are that the parameters around the development of renewables sites, be it wind or solar, are causing delays. The delays cost us not only emissions but also money. We have repeatedly said that the provisions for planning, for example, need to be revisited. I know we have a new planning Bill, some of which has been commenced but not all. There are provisions in this Act, in Article 15, which allow measures to move forward. At a European level, there is the recommendation of overriding public interest in areas where investments are required to ensure we can make an efficient and cost-effective transition to a more sustainable society. These are the kinds of things the council is putting some emphasis on and calling on the Government to take on board as part of its policies.