Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

While I acknowledge that some positive things are taking place, by the Minister's own admission both privately and publicly, Ireland has fallen behind and must catch up. We are approaching the edge of a carbon cliff, as I forecast several years ago. We must develop other sources of renewable energy, including grasping the nettle on solar power. There is opposition to everything. We must, therefore, present communities with a range of options because most sensible people would then accept that the Government and House are doing their best.

Notwithstanding the role of Departments in this area, local government is the missing piece. To use a catchphrase, we must think globally and act locally. Local authorities have shown the way in the renovation and retrofitting of houses where they are doing significant work. I ask the Minister to discuss this issue with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, with a view to developing local government involvement in waste, local transport and public buildings. Local authorities can do much more. The power to devolve many more responsibilities to them is provided for in the Local Government Act. I ask the Minister to devolve powers to take specific measures to local councils, communities and people in order that we can get on top of the issue of climate change.

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