Mr. John McGeady:

It has to be crucial that what is not undermined in whatever direction the European Union is taking is the European Pillar of Social Rights. As to Ireland holding the Presidency of the EU, it is imperative to emphasise that the pillar of social rights has to be front and centre at all times and cannot bear the burden of cost of other priorities for the EU, whether enhancement and competitiveness, etc. Of course the EU does have to be competitive, but it needs to be done in such a way that the pillar of social rights is protected. The SDGs can play a very useful role in that as a policy instrument to look at what that would look like across all areas of policy. Mr. Coughlan made a point about sustainability in all its terms, and that is sometimes lost in the narrative. Sustainability is not solely focused on environmental sustainability: it is also about what is sustainable for workers, employers, institutions and all people in society, whether they are employed or not, and whatever kind of work they do, whether it is caring work, etc.

On Deputy Crowe's point about the just transition, that is where we need to have a really expansive vision for what we mean by a just transition. It needs to be about ensuring nobody is left behind, particularly those already at the bottom of the income distribution, in marginalised communities and sectors that have fallen behind. They must not be allowed to fall further behind. A time of transition is when we have the opportunity to make changes, and we are going to have to make positive changes for those groups already furthest behind to bring them forward first.