Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The GLAS policy is a governmental policy which has been implemented by the farming sector. I thank all the Senators for their contributions this evening. The annual transition statement forms a key part of the accountability arrangements between the Government and the Oireachtas in terms of the Government's action on climate change. This year is the first year in which a number of other Ministers designated under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 addressed the House in respect of climate adaption policy. That represents an important milestone in extending to the whole-of-Government accountability for action on climate change. The annual transition statement sets out the progress that has been made by Government over the last 12 months on our transition objectives. It is an important record of efforts being made to tackle climate change. For the first time we have published, alongside the annual transition statement, progress reports on the implementation of the national mitigation plans actions and measures and an update report on sectoral adaption plans. This provides further transparency to the implementation of national climate policy and demonstrates where we are making progress and also where further efforts are required.

Another important accountability mechanism introduced by the 2015 Act is the independent Climate Change Advisory Council. The council is a key source of expert advice to the Government in the performance of our functions. The Government will carefully consider the council's advice as we continue to work on climate change.

I take the opportunity to thank Senators and to invite them to examine some of the current policy drivers such as that national mitigation plan and the national adaption framework in order to further engage with the basis of our policy approach on climate change, where we are now in terms of the range of measures already under way, and areas where we are working on taking further action in 2018 and beyond.

One of the key challenges we face is that the causes of climate change are deeply embedded in our way of life. From heating our homes to food and transport, the choices we make have implications for us as a society. Understanding these choices is the first step. It is clear that we require transformational change in all these aspects of our daily lives over the coming years.

The Citizens' Assembly and national dialogue on climate change point the way forward towards models of participatory engagement that can help to address these challenges by engaging with the wider public to create awareness, engagement, and motivation to act. It is a moral imperative the Ireland tackle climate change not just because we have promised to do so as part of international agreements to achieve outcomes, but more importantly because it helps to safeguard our future.The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, has already said he wants to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change, not a follower. That will require a further step change throughout Government. Being a leader means acting now, stretching ourselves and seizing the enterprise opportunities in a low carbon economy, including new circular and bioeconomies. Being a follower means the final costs of adjustment are much higher and opportunities are much lower or completely lost.