Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Four years ago, 99 women and men set in motion a train of events that has led to the introduction of this climate action Bill. The 99 women and men of the Citizens' Assembly were representative then of the people of Ireland but they reflect the many voices we have heard over the years. These were voices from all corners of this island and the world, of people who have asked, demanded and persuaded us to do our level best to stop the destruction of the natural world. In this Thirty-third Dáil, we are taking up the baton.

As Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action, as this Bill starts its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas, I want to sincerely thank each member of our committee. From all parties and none, from the Government and Opposition benches, we are working together to forge the best way forward and serve the people we represent. To me, this collaborative work reflects the best of the Oireachtas. Some 16 years ago, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan said:

It is in the interests of every Deputy and party in this House to address what is increasingly regarded as the most important and daunting challenge mankind has ever faced.

It is a daunting challenge. Even though there is no effort without error or shortcoming, we accept the challenge and we get in the arena. If we fail, we will fail while daring greatly.

However, if we fail in our responsibility, we will also fail to grasp our opportunity because Ireland has the potential to punch far above her weight in the global fight against this existential threat. The greatest renewable energy resource lies off our shores. Some 100 years on from the visionary project at Ardnacrusha, which brought light to every corner of Ireland, the west will once again be the backdrop to a project that will benefit the entire island. The people along our Atlantic coastline, from Cork to Kerry, up through Limerick and Clare and on to Donegal, will benefit from the development and deployment of offshore wind power.

The ambition and scale of this project are breathtaking. It will help rebalance our island, and opportunity will no longer be limited to a narrow east-coast economic corridor.

With societal transformation will come unparalleled economic and employment opportunities in renewable energy, nature conservation, sustainable transport and in retrofitting our homes, schools and hospitals. There will be a profound positive impact on people’s quality of life because climate action policies are public health policies and are socially just policies. Climate action will help rebalance our society as a fairer and healthier one, which treads far more lightly on our land.

Climate action is often described as a race against time. The challenge ahead may seem insurmountable, but we are living in a time when change for a better shared future is possible. It may be difficult to imagine, but I know it is attainable. Peter Rice, the eminent engineer, and a Louth man, was responsible for the design and construction of some of the world’s most ambitious buildings. He believed in crossing boundaries and imagining solutions beyond the accepted constraints. Science and imagination when combined with an urgent purpose form a powerful compound.

The race is urgent, but every runner in a race faces forward. I thank Deputies for their support.

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