Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On the climate Bill and a just transition, the Bill is transformative. It should be welcomed by the Opposition and Deputy McDonald's party, Sinn Féin, although I know they have issues with the climate change agenda, have taken a negative stance on the matter and are somewhat in denial about it in reality. As for the just transition, we moved in respect of the midlands. The Government provided €20 million for the first retrofit scheme, with quite a number of counties affected by the decisions relating to the peat-burning stations. That is one part of the pre-emptive moves that were identified in the NESC report to create alternative enterprises and employment in areas affected by climate change decisions that would have a detrimental impact on employment in a given area. In addition, the carbon fund that has been created from the proceeds of the carbon tax will provide fuel subsidies. Over the next decade over €3 billion will be put aside for that to make sure that people on low incomes are not disadvantaged as a result of the tax and also to deal with agriculture and environmentally friendly farming, which is very important.

As for the education system and rapid testing and antigen testing, I spoke to the CMO at the weekend about this and HIQA has, as was said, published its report. NPHET is now clinically validating that as far as the antigen tests are concerned. France is moving ahead with this. When I met the Prime Ministers of Portugal and Greece at the European Council meeting, they told me that their countries had been undertaking these tests for some time. The view up to now has been a policy issue as to whether the testing is as effective as PCR testing or whether it is effective at all. I think we have moved on from that position, so when the clinical validation is over we will be able to come back to the Deputies.

See this speech in context