Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The written response circulated on the Minister's behalf states:

The challenge during the transition out of carbon intensive sources of fuel is to continue to support those communities and jobs associated with that business and to identify and develop new opportunities for employment.

What vehicle will be used to do that? I ask the Minister to establish a task force with the specific responsibility of securing a just transition for the workers and communities, including those who worked in supporting roles in the Moneypoint region. I appeal to him to appoint the task force and let this be a pilot project for the other tough decisions that will undoubtedly have to be taken as part of the decarbonisation of the economy. It is a very simple ask. Will the Minister establish a task force with the responsibility of managing the transition from the carbon intensive burning of coal to generate electricity at Moneypoint and finding the appropriate level of employment and support for the workers and communities into the future?

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