Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As a member of the Joint Committee on Climate Action, I am very pleased to contribute to the debate. In particular, I thank my colleague Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, my Fine Gael colleagues and all members of the committee for the fantastic work they did. We worked incredibly diligently since last July. Although we did not see eye to eye on many things, in general we did. For many who came to the committee with a particular viewpoint, its deliberations were an eye-opener. It was a fantastic exercise in democracy. I praise the establishment of the committee by the Taoiseach and the previous Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, for asking the Citizens’ Assembly to examine how Ireland could become a leader in climate action. That was tremendously important and timely. I commend them on their actions. I had advocated for the establishment of the Citizens' Assembly and the work it did, as well as the establishment of the committee and its work. I was delighted that happened.

It has become clear to us all that political leadership is required for long-term climate action planning. I look forward to the report on the publication of the climate plan by the Minister, Deputy Bruton, who is working incredibly hard on it. It is not just a question of leadership from the Minister or Government politicians, leadership is required across the political spectrum. The work we must do as a Dáil and society means that the actions we must take should not become a political football. That is most important. I have always advocated for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach and that we should be united in our efforts because we are the transition generation. The next 12 years will be critical, but they will not be easy. The changes in the way we live our lives will be significant. There will be social, economic and cultural impacts. Therefore, we must encourage people in local communities and economies to ensure we can achieve that but also to ensure rural regeneration will be at the heart of everything that we do. As an island nation, it is in our national interest to demand that higher emitting nations take action. If sea levels rise, as predicted, around the coast, this single island of ours will be a collection of islands within a couple of generations. The extensive diaspora should be tapped into to carry the message of mitigation and adaptation in order that they can also adjust their lifestyles and influence their communities.

We talked a lot at the committee about a just transition being a significant part of how decarbonisation would be achieved. In my county of Offaly Bord na Mona was for many decades a significant employer, with the ESB. Bord na Mona made significant decisions on restructuring as a result of the lack of demand for the peat it produced as the ESB no longer required it. In County Offaly, in particular, it is a very difficult time for workers, communities and the company as we are impacted on the most. We had employment for generations when in other counties people had to leave these shores and emigrate. Offaly County Council has led the way in the establishment of a transition team. It has pulled stakeholders together. Next week a job matching fair will be held in Mount Lucas in Daingean. It will be a great opportunity for workers and potential employers to connect. There is potential in other areas to follow the lead of the Offaly County Council. There is also potential in upskilling the Bord na Mona workers. It has been made clear to us that it will be very difficult to do what we need to do if people do not have the necessary skills.

Communication is an enormous requirement in getting the message out about the changes we have to make. Last week I was delighted to attend the Public Participation Network's launch of Green Offaly in Lough Boora Discovery Park. The plan is to work with communities to help them to take ownerships of the actions they will take. I am pleased to note that RTÉ and Met Éireann appear to have taken the opportunity to provide accurate information and help to communicate the message of climate change to the people. That is something for which I have long advocated. Since the establishment of the committee, there seems to be much greater and more detailed coverage, on which I commend them.

I wish to refer to agriculture. We are an agricultural nation. I am very pleased that as a result of the committee’s report, the demonisation of farmers has been somewhat reduced. Mrs. Justice Laffoy was very clear at the first meeting that she would have liked to have had more time to look at the impact of agriculture in terms of emissions. She recommended that we do something in the area, which we did. In my community farmers are not averse to change. They are quite willing to change, but fairness must be part of it. The new CAP will have an impact in that regard.

We must not forget the impact climate change is having on people in the developing world and how they are already feeling the impact in desertification and lands being under water, which have resulted in migration. Today we had a debate in the Seanad Chamber involving young researchers who are passionate about climate change. We have all of the evidence. We know what is happening and cannot deny it. We have heard enough words; it is the time for action.

See this speech in context