Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The Minister's title includes "Climate Action". We had a promise of inaction for another year from the Government yesterday in the budget announcement. Is the Minister disappointed with the budget, given his responsibility for climate action? Does he accept that it is criminal, on behalf of future generations, to do nothing, wash his hands of the situation and to make no effort to avoid Ireland being the second worst in the EU in meeting targets and to drive towards being a zero-carbon net emitter by 2035? The contrast between the attitude of his Government as seen in the budget and of ordinary people is great. That is illustrated by the Citizens' Assembly, with 100% voting for the State to take a lead in tackling climate change, 97% voting for a new independent body to ensure climate change is at the centre of policy-making, and 92% voting that the State should prioritise investment in public transport over road infrastructure. Why were those priorities not reflected in the budget yesterday?

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