Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am sure everyone was taken aback this morning when he or she saw the ice sculptures on display outside Leinster House. They really brought home the fact that our planet was melting. This morning I also attended a briefing in Buswells Hotel organised by the Stop Climate Chaos group. It was an eye-opener. The format was great in that Deputies and Senators from particular electoral areas were asked to sit with constituents from them. This led to the formation of small intimate groups which allowed people to be educated a lot easier and quicker. The United Nations' report which was published yesterday declared 2016 to be the hottest year on record. Despite the belief of some Independent Members of the Oireachtas and triumphalist leaders worldwide, we all have to face up to the fact that we are damaging our future and that of our children and generations to come through our selfish behaviour. We need to act. Climate change has massive repercussions for the world. The Stop Climate Chaos group has made three recommendations, including that a fair payment be introduced in the case of solar power, with supplies produced by households and businesses in excess of what they need being returned to the national grid at a price that benefits the owner; that taxpayers' money be divested from the use of fossil fuels and that there be increased investment in cycling initiatives and the use of clean public transport. We need to be forward-thinking. On the massive housing programme required, we all hope the State will ensure green planning will play its part to ensure energy efficient buildings will become the norm.Communities need to be supported through green planning and the building of efficient, green transport systems. This issue crosses almost every Department and I call on the lead Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to climate proof everything the Government does, across all areas.

It is simply unforgivable that the Government is investing taxpayers' money, through the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, in harmful fossil fuel industries which we know are destroying our world. Like the plastic bag tax and the smoking ban, this is an area in which we can lead by example and protect our homes and our planet. Ireland is known as the emerald isle, the country of 40 shades of green; let us have a green economy and environment to match.