Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I thank the witnesses for their contributions. My first question is for Ms Cliona Sharkey of Trócaire on the issue of inequality. I agree completely with the Acting Chairman that we do not just need to deal with climate change but that we also need a system change. In her presentation Ms Sharkey spoke about global climate impacts being at crisis levels. She has pointed out that in the rich world we are becoming increasingly aware of our vulnerability to extreme weather conditions, but the poor countries that contributed least to climate change and that have the least institutional, financial and technological capacity to cope are being hit first and the hardest. Is there any way by which we can measure how inequality impacts within rich countries in the context of climate change? We must look at this issue in a global way because not everyone in the developed world is responsible for the problem. It is the case that not everyone in the developed world is refusing to take responsibility for the developing world; rather, it is a tiny percentage - the rich - who are responsible for most of the problem. Is there any way by which we can measure it? I heard Mr. Kevin Anderson make a presentation recently in which he spoke about the wealthiest 5% in the world being more responsible than everyone else. Is there any way to measure it to illustrate the point better?

The recommendations made by Trócaire are excellent, in particular, the call for regular updates on the transition pathway to 2050. Reference has been made to the need to support legislation, including the fossil fuel divestment Bill and the climate emergency Bill. The organisation has also called for the establishment of a work plan as soon as possible to consider the recommendations made by the Citizens' Assembly. The committee must deal with the outcome of its deliberations as a matter of urgency. It came together, did great work and made many recommendations, but we are not going through them systematically. Perhaps I am wrong about that. Its recommendations may be on the agenda for consideration at a future meeting, but we must address them urgently.

I wish to ask a number of questions-----