Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Climate breakdown is accelerating rapidly. That is the conclusion of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, report, which notes "Human-induced climate change is causing dangerous and widespread disruption in nature" and is affecting the lives of more than 3 billion people. It is fair to say that this report reckons that the situation is more severe than previously reckoned. Moreover, it flows from that reckoning that COP26 and the Government's commitments fall short of what is needed. I am in favour of democratic public ownership of the big corporations and the wealth in society in order that we can plan for the needs of people rather than profit and for a sustainable future. I do not expect the Taoiseach to support that position.

However, will he comment on the following point? The Government's position on data centres is clearly now insufficient. A ban on more data centres is needed. A carbon tax is needed on the big polluters, as opposed to on the shoulders of ordinary people. In addition, the Government's retrofit policy is insufficient. How can the council tenants avail? How can renters avail? How can those who cannot afford to match the State funds avail? A new scheme is needed, which provides for the needs of everybody and not just a section of society.

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