Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am deeply conscious that climate justice is the issue of our time. I am proud of how young people have demonstrated tremendous leadership, as the Deputy identified, in amplifying the conversation on climate justice, not least on the international stage. My Department has become a world leader in listening to children and young people. Young people have a right to have their voices heard and contribute to the policy process on climate matters. Not only that, we must acknowledge that the solutions to the complex issues related to the climate will be better shaped if they are informed by young people from the start.

My Department oversees and supports the well established permanent structures that include Dáil na nÓg, Comhairle na nÓg and the structured dialogue process. Many of the projects carried out at local level by Comhairle na nÓg are related to climate action. On 23 November, Dáil na nÓg will meet and form the newly appointed Comhairle na nÓg national executive. Young people have agreed that the national executive's work for the coming two years will be on the topic of climate action. They will be supported and enabled by officials from my Department to work with decision makers in the relevant Departments and other bodies to ensure these actions will be translated into policy and practice on the ground.

Last week I announced a new special fund for youth action on climate justice. I hope it will help to enhance channels for direct engagement between young people and decision makers across government and beyond. The overall goal will be to bolster young people to be in powerful, enduring dialogue with decision makers and to support initiatives that are both youth-led and respond to the issues raised by young people.

As a country, we have been to the forefront in developing innovative structures to enable young people to participate in decisions that will affect their lives and we have published the first national strategy in the area. I am pleased that we can use these participation structures in a practical way to deal with actions on climate change.

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