Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I ask that the Cabinet committee on the environment and climate change take account of three matters, first the need for more transformational transport projects, such as the Labour Party's call for a €9 per month climate ticket for unlimited public transport journeys. We certainly welcome the plan to deliver 30 Pathfinder public transport projects, such as the phasing-out of cars from College Green in Dublin, but we need to see more radical policies introduced.

Second, I ask that the Government support my Dublin Bay Bill, which would transform the governance and oversight of the bay area of that wonderful natural amenity. I met the SOS Dublin Bay group earlier and I know there is a strong public view that we need to move on greater protection of the wonderful biodiversity habitat that is Dublin Bay.

Third, I raise the issue of energy security, specifically for those in apartments and complexes heated through a shared or district heating system. These people are being hit with extortionate price increases because the supplier is the purchaser of the fuel and is charged a commercial tariff. Tenants and homeowners have no choice of supplier in such complexes but are seeing price rises of nearly 600%, which is not sustainable. They need a gas price cap now. Will the Taoiseach urge the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to raise this at EU level, where there are ongoing discussions about a European-wide cap?

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