Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I listened carefully, as I always do, to the Opposition. I do not want to convolute the subjects of carbon budgets and carbon taxation, but there is still an argument in the House that now is not the right time to do this. To be frank, the right time was ten or 20 years ago, such is the impact that climate change will have, not in 20, 30 or 40 years' time, but in the next decade. We are already seeing the change. By acting now, we can ensure that we try to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.

As a small nation, our impact on the world can vastly outweigh our size. We have a massive diplomatic footprint. It is impactful and important. By building a broad coalition of nations, we can become a global leader in the fight against climate change.

I wish to raise the issue of energy security in Ireland and the wider EU. This morning, we heard first hand from President Zelenskyy. Like others, I compliment the Ceann Comhairle, but also the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, for his excellent speech. We must continue pushing back against Vladimir Putin's ability to make war. Much of that comes from the availability of Russian oil and gas in the market. While we in Ireland do not have a significant level of supply from Russia, some of our EU partners do. We have a responsibility to use our significant diplomatic footprint to influence others to make the right decision. The decision by the EU and the wider West to turn away from their dependency on Russian energy is not just morally right, but entirely necessary. Ireland has the ability to produce vast quantities of renewable energy, primarily wind energy. Over the next short while, we will see our energy bills rising due to the knock-on effects of other European states competing for a reduced supply of energy in Europe. We will also begin to see a doubling down on renewable energy sources home-grown in Europe, but we must act faster.

I was in Glasgow a few months ago at COP26. While I was there, I took the opportunity to meet ScottishPower, which produced 106% of its energy requirements through offshore wind energy in a single day in 2019 or 2020. I believe it was an August day. Ireland has a significant opportunity in the form of the Atlantic off the coast of Donegal in the north, Kerry in the south and so on. Such places will have significant opportunities once we get the legislative framework correct, the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority established and, of most importance, have communities up and down the country, especially ports, in a position to supply those sectors. I do not just mean in the Shannon Estuary, either. I am sure that other locations will be identified in the years to come.

Wind energy and solar development are to be welcomed. I hope that we will see investment in them increasing dramatically. They will increase our ability to produce energy at home and give us the potential to become a clean energy exporter to the rest of the world. Solar energy generation, particularly on farms, commercial buildings and homes, must be ramped up and the ability of those providers to feed into the network must be rewarded. The Minister has heard from many Members this evening on the necessity of ensuring that such providers be supported and rewarded for their efforts, particularly where farm buildings are concerned.

Our ambitions around offshore wind energy must not be limited to the private sector. We must get involved as a State, and if gaps are identified in the coming years or decades, we as a State must plug them in light of the significant opportunities for us, for example the potential to produce tens of thousands of well-paid jobs while protecting the environment. This will require changes in a number of policy areas, not least our planning and management systems and the speed with which the State responds to these pressing needs.

There is no community in Ireland that does not want to see climate action plans delivered. More than that, every community wants to play its part in this effort. We must do everything we can in the House not to frustrate the process, but to provide people in communities with the tools and ability to contribute to our national targets and achieve what I hope will be a carbon-neutral society.

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