Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

As the Social Democrats spokesperson for climate action and as a member of the Joint Committee on Climate Action, I am not shocked but I am disappointed to see this motion come before the Dáil advocating the phasing-in rather than the phasing-out of fossil fuels in Ireland. Ireland, like other rich countries, is addicted to oil and it is this addiction we must fix, not providing more of the drug, which the motion suggests. Yes, we do need robust policies to develop our energy supplies and there are concerns regarding energy security - some related to the war in Ukraine and others due to our lack of development of the renewable energy sector - but phasing in fossil fuels is contrary to everything we have come to understand about climate change and the risks to our future.

I also point out and acknowledge that we had a group of students in here today and it was disappointing they were listening to this motion. We are debating the future of those students and their families. I hope they get to understand that some of the views expressed in the Chamber today do not represent the entire Chamber.

Citing the need to expand development of our oil and gas supplies is contrary to everything that has been said internationally-----

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