Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I very much welcome the opportunity to speak on just transition. It is an area I have a deep interest in. My ministerial responsibilities span two Departments to play a key role in ensuring a just transition. There is significant overlap and opportunity in what we need to do to decarbonise our society and make it fairer, more just and more equal. Current cost-of-living issues highlight this fact.

Almost by definition, expansion of public transport and active travel options help to level the playing field when we speak of inequality in Ireland. For the first time in 40 years, we have had a reduction in public transport fares; by 20% until the end of the year and by 50% for young adults. We are only getting started on our plans for active travel and public transport. I have to acknowledge the fact this week is national bike week. We have started what needs to be a major shift towards cycling. In particular, I will mention the enormous potential of electric bikes to replace car journeys. As Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, it is important to mark the scope of the electric bike in urban areas but very much in rural Ireland too.

I will reference a project funded by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Transport that is a key example of the way forward for a just transition. Last week, with Deputy Ó Cathasaigh, I visited a social enterprise in Waterford, Renew Enterprises, which is run by ex-prisoners who upcycle and repair old bikes and electric bikes, prevent them from going to landfill and sell them cheaply or gift them to those in need. At the same time, these workers are learning transferable bike repair skills. This is a very good example of a grassroots community-led project that intertwines social inclusion and decarbonisation at a local level.

I will go from the local to the very high macro level when I talk about just transition. A move to a low-carbon society and economy will give us the capacity to fully and truly realise the values of a republic that prioritises equality of outcome for all. This can be done by transforming the orientation of our economy to become a large net exporter of renewable energy. Over time, this will allow us to frame and resource the institutions of the State to fulfil that vision of equality of outcome for all.

I oversee the roadmap for social inclusion. The roadmap sets out two overarching ways to tackle social exclusion and poverty: investment in and improvement of public services; and improvements in income, either by increased employment or social transfers. The roadmap will be reviewed this year to better reflect the post-Covid realities and a programme for Government that has a strong emphasis on a just transition. These tracks of improved public services and better incomes will be better achieved in an economy that owns and exports its energy.

I will make an important point about carbon tax. This Government, and the Department of Social Protection in particular, has ensured that the net impact of carbon tax increases has been to redistribute resources to the poorest in society. It may not suit other narratives but it is being used as a progressive income redistribution tool, not to mention how it funds the national retrofitting programme, which will grow to being a central pillar of just transition in Ireland by putting increased resourcing into those most at risk of fuel poverty.

I will touch briefly on some other areas of responsibility in the Department of Rural and Community Development. One of the best ways to ensure a just transition is to listen to, be led by and support grassroots community groups. I am glad to say the new climate Act places an obligation on local authorities to consult with public participation networks in the development of local climate action plans. I recently launched a number of pilots that are aimed at improving the quality of consultation with groups that represent marginalised people. I oversee the national social inclusion and community activation programme. This is, in essence, a team of 600 community workers throughout the country who are supporting individuals and community groups in areas of disadvantage. Again, at a very local level and with the support of the social inclusion and community activation programme, communities are developing projects that intertwine social inclusion and decarbonisation, for example, by helping to develop sustainable energy communities, by providing and maintaining community gardens and allotments, and by raising awareness of climate change. I am particularly struck of late by local development companies that are supporting community transport initiatives.

An economy that controls and sells its own energy, continued progressive redistribution of wealth, a sea change in the use of public transport and active travel, a retrofitting programme that reaches those most in need and communities around the country taking the lead and interweaving social inclusion and decarbonisation measures will ensure a just transition.

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