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

I welcome this debate at the start of the Dáil term and hope that it indicates some real commitment and urgent action by the Government on this most important issue. It is opportune that the debate is taking place on the eve of what is likely to be the biggest global climate mobilisation ever led by school strikers tomorrow. Millions of people around the world will come together to unite behind the science and call on leaders everywhere to deliver an urgent and dramatic increase in action. In Ireland, these strikes will take place throughout the country and in my town, Clonmel, there will be an event at the Main Guard at 1 p.m. tomorrow. I encourage anybody who can do so to turn out in support of that action. It is also opportune because it comes in advance of next Monday's meeting of the UN Climate Action Summit which has been called by the Secretary General ahead of the entry into force of the Paris Agreement in 2020 in recognition of the dangerous disconnect between current emissions reduction pledges and what is needed to deliver on the Paris Accords. The Secretary General stated, "Preventing irreversible climate disruption is the race of our lives and for our lives."

A year ago, the IPCC published its starkest warning yet on the risks and impacts of overshooting a temperature rise of 1.5°C. We remain on course for a warming of more than 3°C and that will have catastrophic implications for society and the environment. The IPCC has also warned us that we have to cut our emissions in half within the next ten years if we are to stand a chance of limiting warming to 1.5°C. As a rich nation with a high rate of per capitaemissions, Ireland should be doing more by 2030 and reaching net zero emissions well before the target date of 2050. It is important to recognise that wealthy countries like Ireland with high emission rates have yet to experience the persistent reality and devastating impact of climate change. The poorest countries and people and the most vulnerable people who are being affected yet they have contributed least to the problem.

Ireland needs to recognise the urgency and increase the national ambition on this issue. It is important to remember that 100 large companies are responsible for 71% of emissions and it certainly is not and will not be acceptable to put the burden of dealing with climate change on the backs of ordinary people. The companies responsible for producing huge emissions should be targeted and made to pay.

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