Séamus Healy (Tipperary, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief. I am conscious of the fact so many Deputies want to speak on this. I welcome the Bill and commend Deputy Pringle on bringing it forward. He put a lot of energy and commitment into it over a long period of time. I know there has been a lot of engagement. He has engaged with all political parties and none across the House on it. The outcome is very important legislation. It is a short and symbolic Bill. Not only is it symbolic, it is significant. It is substantial legislation because it sends a very clear message out on climate change and climate justice. It prevents the fund from investing in fossil fuels in future. It ensures current investments will be divested over a period of time. It comes at a time when we know climate change is very important and that we in Ireland are not doing enough on it. The EPA recently indicated that by 2020 we will have achieved a reduction of 1% in emissions rather than the 20% target we agreed to under the EU agreement. A recent EU report places Ireland almost last on climate action performance.

About 10 million Ethiopians are now in need of food aid as a result of the lack of rain. I visited Ethiopia when my daughter was there doing voluntary work three or four years ago. It is happening not only in Ethiopia but right across the continent.

With those few words, I confirm my support for the Bill and the amendment.

See this speech in context