Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I commend Deputy Hildegarde Naughton and the Joint Committee on Climate Action. They published a very robust response and a report in respect of the Citizens' Assembly and climate change. It is a very effective report which shows that the Oireachtas is listening to the many young people who have protested in recent times about climate change. This has been an ongoing issue. The Oireachtas has responded to that. As an Oireachtas, we can collaborate well and prove to the citizens that we are responsive and we do listen. This committee has done amazing work and needs to be congratulated across the board. I particularly acknowledge the work in chapter 8, which deals with agriculture, forestry and the peatlands. It makes some very strong recommendations, especially on the issue of incentivising farmers, who are in the main custodians of our environment, through financial incentives under the Common Agricultural Policy. That is a very welcome move. I ask every Senator to pick up a copy of the report. I was there at the launch.

I wish to raise the issue of the Taoiseach coming to the House this Thursday. I welcome him and respect that he is the Taoiseach and Leader of the Government. It is always a good opportunity to listen to what he has to say. Having done some preparatory work in anticipation of his visit, I want to address a number of the issues he touched on and the commitments and promises he made to this House. It appears that there will be a shortage of time in terms of the allocation for Members to speak. People can share but it is very tight. The motion proposes that the Taoiseach will address the House, as is right and proper. It also proposes that he will have 15 minutes to conclude. One does not need to be a mathematician to deduce the time remaining for a 60 Member Seanad. It is important that we have an opportunity to listen to what the Taoiseach has to say, but I also know him to be a man who likes to listen and hear back. We may be constrained in this House today by Standing Orders, and I respect those too. I appeal to the Taoiseach that he may listen in and he himself may use an opportunity to seek to extend his period of engagement on Thursday. It is my intention this afternoon, as leader of the Independent Seanad group, to write to him to this effect. I respectfully ask the Deputy Leader to use her good office to have discussions with the Taoiseach's office to see if it is practically possible to extend his engagement by one hour. That is a matter for him, the Deputy Leader and the House, and I respect that. It is also a matter for the Clerk of the Seanad. It is important that we have a positive engagement with the Taoiseach and that he is open and receptive to listening to and engaging with us.