Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this important legislation. I welcome the confirmation by the Labour Party spokesperson that his party will oppose CETA. My understanding had been that that party's position on that was not clear, so this is very welcome news for those of us who will work hard in opposing that agreement.

I want to talk about climate action and a just transition, which is what we need to tackle this climate emergency. It often suits those opposed to any attempt to tackle climate action to push the burden on to ordinary people. This is also true of the parties in government. Those parties of the right will try to push the burden on to ordinary working people at every available opportunity and that is possibly why, as has been referenced by other Deputies, we see only one reference to a just transition in this legislation. That needs to be changed.

Hardly anybody in the State has not become more environmentally conscious and does not want to do their bit to tackle climate action. In recent years, whether it is buying local produce, buying seasonal fruit and vegetables or recycling everything they can, people have made significant changes to their lifestyles. Those who are lucky enough to be able to afford retrofitting or solar panels have installed them. The main thing is that ordinary people have been doing everything that they can. Indeed, they have been doing much more to tackle climate action than the main polluters, big business, those who fly first class around the world, or those living in our cities who drive 2020 or 2021 Range Rover jeeps 500 m down the road to go to the shops.

If we want to properly address the climate emergency, of course we need to make serious change. That is not lost on people, but it needs to be fair. In my constituency people are losing their homes to coastal erosion in Donabate and Portrane. Many of our rivers which at one time were stocked with fish are now full of plastic bottles. People will do all they can and if the Government helps them, they will be able to do more.

However, do Members know how insulting it is to those who are doing all that they can when they are asked to do more especially when they cannot afford to do it? They may buy an electric car, which is great. On the Government's advice, I bought a diesel car a few years ago. If people can afford to do so, they should buy electric. However, the Government should not lecture people who cannot afford an electric car; it should help them. It should not castigate people who cannot afford to heat their house for not retrofitting it; it should help them retrofit it. Attacking allies and supporters of climate action will not help us overcome the climate crisis.

We need to direct our criticisms and solutions to the right place. For instance, we rarely hear a squeak about data centres. They eat up as much energy as a small town and use the same volume of water. Big business rarely gets the same treatment, which always annoys people, especially those who will be allies in this battle.

People know we need to improve our ways, but they are also steadfast in saying that it must be done fairly. I ask the Government to work with us in supporting the amendments we will table to make this legislation fit for purpose to work for all people and not just the elite, the cosy few, the top 1%.

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