Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Bill, which proposes to merge two existing research funding agencies into a new entity, Taighde Éireann. It will be important that this step is matched by efforts from Government to address Ireland's poor performance in funding research and development when compared to EU standards.

Making Ireland competitive in this context will be key, among other things, to a just energy transition, our energy security and, ultimately, our energy independence. While there are challenges, the decarbonisation of our economy and society represents an immense opportunity that could see us deliver an energy future led by renewables, and a future driven by green industry, by well-paid green jobs and an economy that is agile, resilient and driven by innovation, collaboration and real partnership. It would be a future in which natural resources are translated into national wealth for all.

Weaning our country off our dependence on fossil fuel imports is key to protecting workers, families and our economy from the types of international energy shocks that have led to soaring electricity bills in the past two years. A green future is not a given, however. It will depend on a combination of policy choices that are sufficiently urgent and ambitious to deliver on Ireland's immense potential. Central to that is research and innovation. We are lagging behind international counterparts. It is crucial, therefore, that we see a step change in approach that is inspired, motivated and fully mobilised behind the vision of an Ireland that can power itself in a way that is clean, sustainable and secure and that translates into affordable energy for workers, families and businesses. We need the Government to prioritise the building of a workforce that is adequately prepared and resourced to deliver energy security and independence and to achieve our targets. This is an issue that I have raised repeatedly with the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and others.

To secure Ireland's just transition, it is absolutely crucial that we have the right people, and enough of them, doing the right jobs. Ultimately, the talent, skills, education and expertise of our people will power our renewable energy transformation to the next level. Without them, Ireland's energy revolution will remain out of reach. The Government must step up and play its part fully. It must get serious in focusing on training, upskilling and reskilling people to develop a workforce that can deliver the renewable energy revolution, reach our targets and achieve energy independence for Ireland. This will require the Government working closely with the renewable sector, second and third level education, technical unions and local government. That needs to happen.

We also must see the State leading not just on workforce planning and resourcing but also on research and innovation. We see the need for this time and again. I attended the Wind Energy Ireland conference yesterday and I meet regularly with stakeholders. There are areas where there are huge opportunities for Ireland. Two examples are hydrogen and floating offshore wind. We hear repeatedly that the State is taking a cautious, wait-and-see approach rather than being an early adopter. Other countries, including Norway, Japan, Portugal and Scotland, are taking a different approach and will realise the benefits of that. I appreciate risks and challenges in scaling up and other considerations must be taken into account. However, there are immense opportunities to secure a pipeline to develop the technologies that can push pioneering research, innovation and science. That does not happen by chance. Government and State agencies must lead by example. It is clear that with the proper tools and supports, the workers of Ireland can drive forward the country's energy revolution. They are the engine of Ireland's transition and they must be supported by the Government.

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