Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

According to the EU, the idea of transition is that no one is left behind. However, rural areas of Ireland are being left behind. Rural public transport is non-existent. Rural public services are non-existent. The Government is not doing enough to mitigate the ground-breaking and life-changing proposals that those in rural areas are being asked to operate under. Rural communities function on a completely different eco and social plateau from large urban areas. This is a major concern when it comes to climate action. People in rural areas want to play their part in climate action. Up to €84.5 million has been allocated to Ireland under the EU just transition fund. This funding is highly focused on the midlands. Many rural areas, such as county Wexford, will also need financial support for just transition. Rural areas operate on a small ecosystem. Farmers, fishers and those working for small and medium-sized enterprises circulate their money directly into their local economy.

Remove one cog from the wheel of climate action, for example the fishers, farmers or foresters, acting without a robust and just economic alternative, and the whole thing collapses. It has a domino effect.

What action plan, roadmap and timelines are there for a just transition for the rest of rural Ireland, including Wexford? Public transport and the reliance on cars are among the main targeted areas of climate action. In Wexford, we do not have a reliable and accessible form of rural public transport to rely on, nor have we the proper infrastructure to support electric vehicles. This Government needs to transform rural transport in areas such as Wexford if we are truly to move people away from reliance on cars.

The Wexford coastline is an area that is most suitable for offshore wind farms. I support wind energy and the value of energy security for Ireland, especially when we see the awful effects of the war in Ukraine and the international fallout for energy supplies. We can, and should, plan for our own self-sufficient and sustainable supply.

When it comes to Wexford, we must always take cognisance of the traditional fishing and charter boat industries. They cannot be forgotten as custodians of the sea when it comes to these large, green infrastructural changes. Unfortunately, the Government's green schemes are not working. Quick transition seems to be the priority rather than the most important element of fairness. Sustainability and pragmatic solutions must be rural-proofed, inclusive and, above all, practical and workable. Biomethane, hydrogen, wind and solar energy must remain the focus of the Government.

Food security must be considered region by region. Rural Ireland has a major part to play in developing our country in a self-sufficient and prosperous way. A just transition is about making sure we leave nobody behind on our journey to a greener environment. I urge the Government to seriously consider and act on the points that have been raised.

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