Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is very important that we make a decision that this is the priority which, if it were not for Brexit, should be consuming all of our focus so that all of our policies in terms of investment are aimed at tipping the balance against carbon. We need to do this. I purposely did not ask about the ambitious target of 70% for electricity generated from renewables because that will be achieved. It means we have to be very clear about the requirement of State agencies such as Eirgrid to co-operate with energy generators and community generated electricity to achieve that objective. The bottom line for us now is to embrace this strategy not simply as another report but as the last opportunity we will have as a people to make our urgent contribution to the real challenge of our time. I ask the Taoiseach to indicate how this report will be treated and that it will not simply be regarded as another report from another committee but will be the definitive guide to policy throughout all of the sectors that will impact on our climate to achieve the really ambitious targets and groundbreaking policy changes that are required by this unprecedented challenge.

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