Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I also commend the Independent Group on bringing the motion to the floor. It is timely we are discussing this on the same morning an agreement seems to have been reached at a global climate summit that nearly lost credibility due to the attitude adopted by some states. If we look at the main stories that emerged from the climate summit, we see the encapsulation of the key problems that have been holding the globe back from radically addressing the emissions issue. Excluding fossil fuels from that effort has been a particular issue. To hear the COP president, Sultan Al Jaber, claim there was no scientific evidence that a phase-out of fossil fuels is needed to tackle the overall issue of global warming was deeply troubling. It was another indicator of the challenges we face from those with so much power and vested interests.

The first draft text appeared to confirm people's growing fears that the climate summit may have been considered by the powerful fossil fuel-producing states as purely an opportunity to do business. Despite this, however, we have reason for more optimism this morning, with the agreement to transition away from fossil fuels included in the text. Although there is dissatisfaction that it stops short of committing to phasing fossil fuels out, it also indicates the challenges we face from vested interests.

This leads me to the subject of how all countries must play a part in this ambition, especially considering that the Paris Agreement does not mention fossil fuels as the main driver of the climate crisis. Each country must shoulder its own responsibility on the damage done by fossil fuels. Amending the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act to mention fossil fuels is one aspect where we have a part to play. For example, Irish financial institutions hold €12.1 million in investments in fossil fuels. Of this, ISIF holds €10.4 million. This kind of problem is even more evident in the bonds held by investment managers registered in Ireland.

Action needs to be taken. If we need to amend the Act to force this change, so be it. Each of us has a role to play and it is the responsibility of the Government to enable this to happen. Unfortunately, the Government is big on promises and setting targets that fall short of many of the key policies needed to implement them. This is apparent from the most recent progress report, published as part our climate action plan, which indicated a steady fall in delivery rates. We have to ask why. Why are we not on track with our renewable targets? There are many problems with our auctions for renewables. As a result, Ireland will come nowhere near to its 2030 targets.

There are a number of forward-thinking businesses in County Tipperary, such as Energy Communities Tipperary Cooperative and Community Power. They have made great strides and are the future of so many of our plans for renewable energy, yet we have been told the system is in need of reform. The average time a wind project takes to clear the system is a staggering 92 weeks. The statutory maximum is supposed to be 18 weeks. No new projects have been approved for more than 14 months. There is also the issue of connecting independent renewable energy to the grid. Many renewable projects are waiting so long for the connection that they are timing out. This is no way to promote or support renewables. Sinn Féin wants to reform the energy sector to expand community-generated power to benefit communities and translate our natural resource into national wealth. We need to make the transition to renewable energy something that works for people.

We would bring forward a truly just and fair transition that would protect our energy security with the roll-out of an equitable energy system, which would also address issues with planning and the grid that impede entrepreneurs and communities from realising their full potential.

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