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

I am glad to hear the Taoiseach say that he agrees on the need for system change but again it is a matter of ensuring that actions and outcomes match words and aspirations. The Taoiseach's Government has fallen short on ensuring outcomes are there in place. I repeat again the question. Will the Government oppose the holding of COP 29 in another petro-state? We hope very much that we will see a stronger text emerge from the negotiations today at COP 28 but it is likely that if COP 29 is again held in a petro-state next year as is planned, or the next event, that we will see similar fudging and similar roll backs on the strong text that should be there to phase out fossil fuels, which is the text that Mary Robinson and so many more have called for.

There is more that has to be done at home to ensure that the transition is a just one, to address the socioeconomic impacts of climate change for our poorest communities and our most disadvantaged communities. I echo the calls of my colleague, Senator Rebecca Moynihan, who has called for a task force to investigate here at home in Ireland how the climate crisis will impact on our most disadvantaged communities and what supports the Government has to put in place to ensure there is that just transition. Will the Taoiseach support that call? How will the Taoiseach ensure a just transition here?

See this speech in context