Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for that response and I understand the courts system but we need more than goodwill from the Government. We need strong assurances that the Government will support the retention of jobs for as long as possible, bearing in mind that this just transition was to last until 2030 and everyone was to be given a fair chance to adjust. We have not been given that fair chance. I want to ask the Minister, out of decency to the people of Offaly and the wider midlands area, to be fair about this.

I want to take another point up with the Minister. Will we see solid fuels imported into this country because of a decarbonisation strategy? Will we see something reflective of what happened in agriculture with the sugar beet industry? We saw sugar being imported and we saw where wrong decisions were made. I have fears of the same thing happening with fuel. That is why we need aspiration to be replaced by pragmatism and common sense and why we need to meet the needs of people in this State, including in the midlands. It is certain that we will have fuel poverty and that we will see imports coming in. I would like the Minister to answer those queries.

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