Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 13:

In page 7, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following:

“ ‘just transition principals’ means the principals which identify the importance of taking action to reduce net Irish emissions of greenhouse gases in a way which— (a) supports environmentally and socially sustainable jobs,

(b) supports low-carbon investment and infrastructure,

(c) develops and maintains social consensus through engagement with workers, trade unions, communities, non-governmental organisations, representatives of the interests of agriculture,business and industry and such other persons as the Climate Change Advisory Council considers appropriate,

(d) creates decent, fair and high-value work in a way which benefits the current workforce and overall economy,

(e) contributes to resource efficient and sustainable economic approaches which help to address inequality and poverty;”.

In this amendment I seek to achieve the inclusion of just transition principles. The Minister and all of us will be aware of the NGOs that have worked tirelessly during recent years to get to where we are today, and I acknowledge the importance of their work. Some of them have been disappointed while others believe this is worth continuing to fight for. I am conscious that the in government the Minister cannot get everything he wants but he endeavours to do his best. I also acknowledge that. It is important we acknowledge the trade unions, communities and NGOs. Just transition principles should create "decent, fair, and high-value work in a way which benefits the current workforce and overall economy" and contribute to resources, efficiencies and sustainable economic approaches, which are helpful. I am particularly mindful of the mushroom sector in the context of jobs, of not leaving people behind and of bringing people with us. I do not want people in Wexford, the midlands, Monaghan and other paces where, for example, there is mushroom production, left behind. What are those people thinking of this Bill? Just transition is also about climate justice and bringing people with us. The Minister has said that time and again. I do not want workers, particularly those in small businesses, small groups and niche sectors such as the mushroom sector left behind. I do not want them to think they will not have a job because we cannot produce, permit or allow under this legislation the production of a certain volume of milled peat, which will continue to allow people to work in the mushroom sector, bring money home and put food on the table. People following the debate on this legislation will be aware some people will be disadvantaged. That is not all about just transition. Just transition is about bringing all the people with us. We will not succeed in doing that all of the time but we need to ensure there is a just transition when people jobs and livelihoods are at stake, whether they be growers, mill peat workers, those involved in the transport end of the business, pickers and all the various people related particularly to the mushroom sector, which I know well, otherwise they will be left behind.

Amendment No. 14 also deals with just transition. The interpretation of "just transition", as stated in the amendment, "means a transition that ensures the economic, the environmental and social consequences [about which I have just spoken] of the ecological transformation of economies and societies are managed in ways that maximise opportunities for decent work for ..." leaving nobody behind and bringing all the people with us. Members have spoken eloquently about the farming community. There are not many of them in the Chamber now but they may be working on other matters. They said that they stand in solidarity with the farming community and the workers of the land. They acknowledged the significance and importance of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fisheries and the marine, but mere words are not enough. We have opportunities in the context of this Bill to support those people and those important communities, industries, workers and people whose livelihoods could be on the line, if we do not bear this in mind. In essence, I am an environmentalist. I support the idea and the concept of an emerald Ireland; an Ireland of good quality, organic food and small businesses that can become medium businesses, which, in turn, can become large businesses but we must have social justice and we must support industries and workers and leave nobody behind. I hope the Minister will be agreeable to accepting these amendments.