Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Academic studies have shown that when people are included and empowered to impact climate change interventions, they become much more successful. Far too much of this Government's approach to climate change is to put one group against another. This motion is here today because members of the farming community are scared for their livelihoods and because they have not been consulted, engaged with or included. I commend my party colleagues, Deputies Kerrane and O'Rourke, on the amendment they tabled that would see proper consultation take place on these proposals and ensure that we all work together, because we have to work together. We cannot see farmers lose out on business because the Government refuses to engage or listen.

I live in an area that has below-average tree density and a severe lack of green spaces. In parts of Cork city, the only place you will find diverse habitats is when you go to derelict buildings that are falling down and overgrown. The Government talks a lot about what ordinary people need to do to fight climate change but there is an opportunity for the Government to invest in communities that need this, like Knocknaheeny, Farranree, Gurranebraher and areas of Mayfield, to restore nature to local communities in a real, impactful way. The benefits would be twofold. You would see an increase in habitats and biodiversity but also a decrease in people having to get into their cars to drive to parks far away, when they should be able to stay locally. Across Cork city, there is not an option for many families and they have to drive to a park. That does not make sense.

There is an urban-rural divide on climate issues. The Government needs to bring people together. We all need to work on this together and empower the change. As the Minister of State knows, Cork is a city that has been prone to flooding. One recommendation that has existed for years is to plant native trees upland to help to soak up the water, to slow it down before it floods the city, as well as for carbon uptake. This has not happened. We have been talking about it for decades and still we are here. We need to move ahead with that.

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