Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is very welcome as always to the Chamber to discuss this highly impactful legislation. I wish we had more time to discuss it, but we are where we are. I admit that I am slightly worried by the legislation. The far-reaching implications of carbon budgets, the sectoral emissions ceilings and the myriad other mechanisms we must employ to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, are things that should give everyone pause for thought. If the planned transition is indeed a just one with no one left behind, that would do much to reassure me. The execution will be key.

The fear, of course, is a valid one. This legislation will demand a drastic reorganisation of Irish life. It is possible that certain industries and sectors could be fatally damaged in the move if the people involved are not sufficiently protected. There would be no justice in having our rural communities bearing the brunt of any economic hardship, or held responsible for the damage done by others who are much farther afield.

As well as a just transition, we must also have a common-sense transition. If emissions and climate change are really what we are concerned with, then our measures to combat such must not be confined to our borders. It would make zero sense, for example, to cull our beef herds if Irish and EU demand for beef instead becomes satisfied by Brazil, which would add thousands of kilometres of sea and air miles to the carbon footprint of the product.

On the topic of common sense, could the Minister please examine the role that nuclear energy could play in reaching a zero-emission economy? France's move towards nuclear power in the late 20th century saw that country massively reduce its use of fossil fuels and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. While historically Ireland's power system has been too small for a conventional, large nuclear plant, the technology in this area is rapidly evolving. The dual advent of smaller modular reactors and the ability to almost eliminate spent nuclear fuel could be our best hope of achieving climate neutrality.

If we are to demolish perfectly functioning power plants in order to reach the targets, we need firm sources of power generation to replace them. They can provide electricity on request and help other generation sources like wind and solar power. This is not an argument against renewables; we need more renewables but we also need to make sure our energy system is secure and reliable. If this climate emergency is as serious as we are told, then we need to look at every possible solution to stop it, even the solutions we may not like.

I wish to address environmental protection. There is no mention in the Bill of corporate responsibility. We can all agree that environmental policy and legislation are vital to protect the environment, not just for the sake of the 7 billion to 8 billion people inhabiting this planet of ours, but also to protect our children and the generations to come. Rigorous implementation of environmental policy and legislation is certainly good and it is arguably an ethical and moral obligation. A clean environment promotes and maintains the health and well-being of communities and individuals, consumers and workers.It is also important for the aesthetics and reputation of Ireland's tourism industry, a vital part of our economy that provides employment for approximately 265,000 people. In such circumstances, it is imperative that we protect the environment to ensure long-term, sustainable economic growth.

We all have a part to play in protecting the environment in our daily lives, choices and actions but the statutory role of environmental protection lies with a range of Departments, 34 local authorities, An Garda Síochána and several agencies. The principal regulator and enforcement body is the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA. Does the Minister believe the EPA has all the powers and resources it needs to implement and enforce environmental law in Ireland? I have my doubts. Every year, we pay tens of millions of euro to the EU to avoid harsher fines for failing to comply with our environmental obligations as a member state. This could become billions of euro by 2030 if we continue to breach our greenhouse gas emissions limits.

Every year we see reports that our lands and waterways — the lands that feed us and the water we drink — are being polluted with untreated sewage and effluent from industry and agriculture. The principle that the polluter pays is at the heart of environmental law. However, are those who pollute in Ireland paying to the same extent as polluters in neighbouring countries? Airlines, for example, have been hit with fines of €132 million for failing to adhere to emissions-trading rules. I understand airlines in Ireland are now struggling with Covid flight restrictions but Covid has been with us only since January 2020. What has the EPA done to ensure airlines are complying with the rules? The Minister needs to consider this and address the issues of pollution and the EPA's effectiveness in combating it immediately.

I broadly welcome the Bill although I have some reservations. I thank the members of our climate action committee for their work on this Bill.