Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I totally agree with Deputy McDonald on that point. I want to raise another issue on the Order of Business, and that is a motion we are being asked to pass without debate on the comprehensive agreement in the field of air transport. This deal is aimed at growing a market in transnational flights and climate is mentioned once in the briefing document. At a time when emissions are rising and we are facing the biggest climate catastrophe ever, we are being asked to pass without debate a deal which would without doubt increase emissions both nationally and globally. I think it is not just insane but utterly bizarre that this is being put in front of us in the name of the Green Party and we are being asked to pass it without debate. I am not going to do that. I am a Member of the Oireachtas and we have to be accountable to the people who elect us. It is a disgrace that we are being asked to do this.

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