Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I acknowledge the work of Deputy Whitmore in bringing forward this Private Members' Bill on the subject of just transition and her and her party's commitment to this topic. I also commend Sinéad Mercier and the unions, which I know worked with Deputy Whitmore on this. I thank Deputy Gibney for her intervention. This time three weeks ago, I was the Minister of State with responsibility for digitalisation, so I am particularly interested in what Deputy Gibney said about AI.

In line with the national climate objectives, the Government is fully committed to a just transition to a climate-neutral economy by no later than 2030. There have been significant developments relating to just transition since the Private Members' Bill was presented to the House in 2021. These include both policy and legislation changes, as well as the establishment of, as Deputy Whitmore said, the just transition commission of Ireland on an administrative basis last year. It is on the basis of these developments, which provide an established approach to just transition within climate policy, that the Government is opposing the Bill.

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 provides for a just transition to a climate-neutral economy which endeavours, insofar as is practicable, to maximise employment opportunities and support persons and communities that may be negatively affected by the transition. To operationalise this provision, the Climate Action Plan 2021 introduced a just transition framework which guides the integration of just transition into climate policy. Just transition, as Deputy Whitmore said, probably is not the most obvious name, so let me outline for viewers watching at home what that framework looks like and means in practice. It consists of four principles focusing on the need for an evidence-based approach to plan our response to just transition requirements. It is about equipping people with the right skills to participate in the future economy. It is about ensuring that the costs are shared so that existing inequalities are not exacerbated, and it is about social dialogue to ensure impacted citizens and communities are consulted and empowered. All relevant Ministers are expected to formulate and implement their climate policies through the lens of this framework so that policies are informed by the need to ensure a just transition.

The just transition commission of Ireland, as the Deputies will be aware, was established last year as an independent advisory body. A key focus of the commission is to support the Government in its responsibility to provide that Ireland's transition to the national climate objective has regard to the requirement for a just transition to a climate-neutral economy. The mandate of the commission is to prepare and analyse strategic research in relation to a just transition; evaluate, advise and comment on sectoral climate policies; provide strategic advice and engagement on just transition; undertake proactive engagement with communities, sectors or regions facing challenges arising from the transition; and listen to and channel the public voice on just transition.

The Private Members' Bill before us today proposes the establishment of a just transition commission on the legislative basis with a focus on workers and communities. However, the existing commission's remit goes wider than this. While it accounts for the need to ensure a just transition workforce, its programme also includes the assessment of the implementation of the just transition framework into climate policy; strengthening engagement with vulnerable cohorts on climate matters; and recommending indicators to support the measurement of our progress as we continue to transition. The commission has made really significant progress in its work programme and it has already published its introductory report. This report provides some early reflections and recommendations on the implementation of just transition across climate policy.

The commission points to the need to develop a just transition strategy and the need for stronger governance, monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the just transition framework in climate policy. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment will develop a just transition strategy as a key deliverable under its 2025 to 2028 statement strategy. The just transition strategy will set out a clear vision for a just transition to a competitive, affordable, secure and climate-neutral economy and society.

My colleague the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment has assured the commission of the Government's ongoing support for its work through his engagement with both the chair, Ms Ali Sheridan, and members. It was very heartening to hear Deputy Whitmore commend the talents of the people involved in the commission and the good work that they are doing on behalf of Ireland.

In conjunction with its introductory report, the commission has also explored two key sectoral areas, transport and agriculture, and the cross-cutting topic of finance. In conducting its review, the commission has engaged with over 60 representative groups, officials and academics. It has conducted engagements with farmers, agricultural students and representative groups in Glasnevin's Wayfinding Centre. The commission is now preparing a report to reflect and provide recommendations on the respective sectors. In addition, the commission continues to develop links with similar bodies such as the Climate Change Advisory Council.

As noted earlier, the current just transition commission was established on an administrative basis. This followed on from the work of the just transition task force, which was tasked with seeking consensus on a long-term structure for the just transition commission. The task force convened in 2023 and was chaired by Mr. Kieran Mulvey. It consisted of representatives from the five pillars of social dialogue and senior officials from the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and the NESC. Their recommendations included that the commission should be established on an administrative basis to ensure timely establishment but that it would quickly move to a statutory basis. In approving the establishment of the commission, the Government noted that a review of the operation of the commission should be undertaken before moving it to a statutory basis. This will allow the commission to establish itself and for learnings on its current structure and remit to be reviewed and refined. That review is planned for the middle of next year.

In these circumstances the Government believes it would be premature to consider moving the commission to a statutory basis in advance of the review. It would also distract the commission from completing its work programme, which is the most important thing. We know that that transition will have different impacts on different people, communities and regions. The Government acknowledges this and has been investing significant resources into supporting the midlands, as the Deputy noted in her own contribution, because the midlands communities are most impacted by the transition away from peat.

One of the first measures that was introduced was the National Just Transition Fund 2000 to 2024, which provided over €16 million to the region. The EU just transition fund, which runs to 2027, remains active in the midlands, with up to €169 million available in the region. Since the launch of the programme in 2023, 15 calls for funds have been run and 172 projects under grant agreement have been approved in the sum of €121 million. The EU just transition fund is co-funded through the EU just transition mechanism and national co-financing.

As demonstrated, significant work is already under way to underpin the just transition through legislation, the implementation of the just transition framework, investment in the midlands and institutional arrangements. The commission and colleagues can be assured of the Government's ongoing commitment to a just transition as we continue to embed it in our policymaking. On the basis of these significant developments the Government has decided to oppose the Bill.

I note the Deputy has not been given a copy of my speech, so I will provide her with this one. We might see if we can get it photocopied.

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