Róisín Garvey (Green Party)
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Does the Department have experts on science or energy working for it? My fear is that every Department will spend millions on paying consultants because we do not have expertise within the Departments. It would make much more economic sense for every Department to look to employ people who have the expertise we need. A reduction of 35% is a massive challenge, when many people are content to continue business as usual, unless it will economically benefit them. This would be the ideal because it makes economic sense to be more ecologically minded. I see everything going to consultants but the people at the front line are not being educated. It would be good to see the Department trying to have energy experts and climate experts working in it. It would make a big difference. I have not heard anything on the biodiversity side of things. The Department might think this is completely off the wall but I must bring it up as a spokesperson for enterprise, trade and employment. Biodiversity can make a huge difference.