Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I support those comments. As a member of the climate action committee for nearly a year, I know it has consistently discussed just transition. Every Department must understand that label of "just transition" and implement novel ideas because we will need them. Bord na Móna is currently in negotiations with the union and it will revert to us towards the end of October or November to let us know what has happened in those negotiations. They are sensitive discussions. Most of the workers are looking at some form of unemployment. Some will have a few more years left to work and would be unsure if they can seek new employment once the closure is implemented. They need to know what social protection can be offered by the State. It is important that the Minister uses a just transition process in the Department in order that it becomes a natural fold in everything it does. It should not be left just to one Department either but the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection should advertise the idea and let people know about it.

The climate action committee made recommendations, although we grumpy Sinn Féin members disagreed with the carbon tax increase. Everything else was signed off in a report. The Government's Climate Action Plan 2019 was published with some of those recommendations and we have sought a gap analysis between what was recommended and what is in the plan. I saw an email about that this evening. Perhaps there is detail there concerning the just transition in order that each Department can become proactive in promoting the process. There will be many job losses and changes in how work is done. We must consider the implications of the great four-day week suggestion. We must be proactive, rather than letting one Department take the responsibility or burden.