Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the discussion about the just transition mechanism. It is a dynamic and proactive framework that identifies opportunities for public and private investment that is both sustainable and inclusive. It is a fair and effective way of ensuring that everyone can work together to fight the climate emergency. The just transition fund is designed to assist countries across Europe to meet the challenges of the green transition in line with our goal of making the EU climate neutral by 2050. Doing this effectively and fairly is critical because that is how we ensure nobody is left behind.

Ireland's ambition is to become a world leader in climate action. That is a big statement but we need big thinking now because we are no longer living in a time of climate change; we are living through a climate emergency. Everyone in Ireland can make the changes set out in the climate action plan and we need to encourage and support everyone to make those changes.

Ireland is set to receive €84.5 million from the EU just transition fund over the programme period. That is a big figure but big thinking needs to be backed up with big financial supports. That is why we need to think nationally. As we know, the wider midlands region has been proposed as the only area for investment under the just transition plan. Some people have expressed the fear of being left behind. This must be a transition that works for the whole country, not just the wider midlands region. We need to support everyone to introduce climate change mitigation measures and that is why I welcome the range of benefits and supports offered by the European Union.

The just transition will protect people and communities by offering reskilling opportunities and investments to combat energy poverty. It will assist people and communities who want to gain access to clear, affordable and secure energy. Nationally, we are seeing a step change in energy efficiency and in our societal desire to be more climate conscious. The just transition mechanism is also going to support companies by supporting them to transition to low-carbon technologies and economic diversification.

Before being elected to Dáil Éireann, I worked as chief of staff for a multinational organisation. Driving corporate climate responsibility is something about which I am very passionate. That is why I strongly welcome the investment in creating new firms, start-ups, research and innovation activities. That allows us to bring fresh and innovative ideas to the table to address the climate emergency effectively. The mechanism will support the investment in public and sustainable transport.

Sustainable transport is a serious issue that must be addressed to deliver on climate action. This week we saw practical measures come into play to enable people in my constituency and right across Ireland to access public transport at a more affordable rate. That is a genuine incentive and we need to ensure that commuters are getting an added incentive through the Taxsaver ticket, which they are not currently because it has not been changed to reflect the new scheme.

Public consultation on a draft of Ireland's territorial just transition plan took place earlier this year. Feedback was gathered at it and one of those feedback workshops specifically sought the views of younger people working, living or studying in the midlands region and it is really important that we listen carefully to what they had to say. We owe it to our younger people who have been so vocal about their feelings on this issue to listen. We cannot and must not let them down. Floods, storms and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, more destructive and more fatal. Climate change is the truth. It is not a lie. We owe it to the next generation to leave Ireland in a state that is fit for their purpose. We need a just transition to ensure that Ireland can achieve this and achieve our climate action goals.

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