Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We should learn from housing and take the position that we cannot leave this to the market and market-based solutions on climate change because they will not fix what we need fixed. There are farmers all over the world who are struggling with the effects of climate change. There are farmers who are struggling now with drought and farmers in Ireland who are struggling. I was one of the first to speak in the Seanad about the fodder crisis, which directly related to climate change. I agree that there are a number of associated factors and investments needed. There is a fiscal space at the moment in which that money is available. We are trying to remake not just Ireland but a Europe and a world that is fit for purpose and resilient. We are going into the next 100 years of the State and that does require investment but how we do that is important. Let us not make the mistake of relying on mechanisms that have other motivations, which are not bad but necessary motivations, in terms of profit maximisation and return and allowing them be the drivers on something that is fundamental to human life.

I will bring forth another amendment to build on those before the House. I urge that there would be a pathway to considering the issue of how we balance these things. I am hoping that I will be able to engage with the Minister on how we can ensure that our emissions reduction targets and our removals targets are counted separately and that we aim for the greatest possible ambition in respect of each of them.