Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Chair and welcome all our guests. Obviously, there is no conflict around the fact that we need this just transition. No reasonable person will challenge the proposition that we have to cushion, protect, retrain and give jobs to people, particularly in the case of the loss of the bogs in the midlands and then generally as we transition from fuels. That is not at issue. I would like to put the following proposition just to have it confirmed. Am I correct in saying there is a commitment of 100 direct and indirect jobs being created to retrofit homes in the midlands, 100 jobs through the National Parks and Wildlife Service, 100 new direct jobs and more than 150 indirect jobs in the development of renewable energy assets, 100 new jobs in recycling and potentially 150 jobs in the new green business projects and jobs in the restoration of the bogs? We would much prefer a situation where people got trained for work. Will all the machinery of the State be available for retraining? It is the last chance to saloon as we do not want anybody going on welfare, or being unemployed. In the very bleak scenario where that arises, people will be cushioned but they will get training. While we all support just transition and a just transition commissioner, for the sake of a balance, are the points I made valid?