Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In many senses, the Bill falls short of what Sinn Féin would like to see in a climate change Bill. However, given that we have no legislation on greenhouse reduction and climate change, time is not on our side and we need to move. I and others have spoken many times during the past two years about the need to avoid a carbon cliff and the fact that we are playing catch up regarding meeting our climate change obligations and dealing with this important issue. Although people do not see it as an immediate issue, it is probably the most serious issue that faces the planet for every one of us and, in particular, those who will come after us. The Government has accepted some amendments to the Bill on different Stages, which I welcome. However, in many respects the Bill falls short of what was proposed by the all-party Oireachtas committee. The absence of defined sectoral targets is a weakness. Much more could have been done to strengthen the national plan. The Government has talked about a democratic revolution, although it is a cliché now. This was an opportunity to put it into practice by giving the Oireachtas a greater role in Government accountability and the different climate change sectors.

The Bill does not go far enough on climate justice. While I welcome the Government’s amendment regarding a timeline for adoption, the time should have been shorter. It should have been six months. However, it is a step in the right direction. The Bill falls short of what we would have liked to have seen and the Bill I brought before the House nearly two years ago. However, we must factor in the fact that we have no legislation on this important issue. In the Bill, we have a framework, albeit inadequate. We are moving in the right direction and we will support the Bill on this basis. We hope this and future Governments will seek to change this over the coming years. It is not just a party political issue but an issue for humankind and the planet. We in the developed world produce so much more carbon than people in less developed countries. We have a major responsibility, particularly here in Ireland.

There are competing interests. Our food sector is very important and Sinn Féin wants to protect it and allow it to develop. During the debate, we put forward ideas on diversification in farming to ensure we are not over-reliant on beef and dairy. While they are important, there are other sectors in agriculture, such as sugar beet, which we need to develop. We can do this without increasing carbon emissions. We can reduce emissions if we diversify and it will be good for the environment, the economy and local communities.

While the Bill falls short, it is a move in the right direction and pushes us forward, given that we have no legislation in place. The disappointment is that it has taken so long to put it in place through this and previous Governments. Now that we have the Bill, we should not delay one more day. Time is not on our side. We already have a carbon cliff to climb. We cannot allow it to happen and we cannot keep fire fighting on these issues. Apart from the damage to the environment, there will be damage to the economy due to the need to buy carbon credits. It is important that we move ahead. I ask the Government and whoever forms the next Government to be open minded about making changes and further strengthening the legislative framework around carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions during the months and years ahead. It is important for all of us. Apart from political responsibility as Sinn Féin spokesperson on the environment, as a citizen, parent and grandparent I feel a responsibility on my shoulders. When we are all dead and gone, people will ask what we did about it. Whatever party or group we are in, we are all concerned about it. This is a big step forward. I would like to go further. Let us drive on with it and be open minded to changing and improving it in the months and years ahead.

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