Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

We are on course to spectacularly miss our climate targets. The latest person to sound the alarm about this impending failure was Mary Robinson. She cannot understand why funding that is available now to help reduce our emissions and meet our targets is not being used, and nor can I. We have so much work to do and so little time to do it. Inaction or insufficient action is not a credible strategy.

The Government is in the process of creating a climate and nature fund. Billions of euro will be poured into it, but the money will not be drawn down until after 2026. There are so many industries and communities, particularly in rural Ireland and coastal communities, that will be impacted. We need to provide resources now to help them make the transition that is coming. Will the Taoiseach reconsider the start date for that fund and invest now to protect the future?

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