Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We are very much behind both a just transition and climate justice. Everybody needs to be clear on that. The decision not to accept Senator Higgins's amendment to remove the definition is one with the best of intentions. This is not academics but law, and it is important to get that law right. As I said last week, we have spent a long time discussing climate justice and a just transition. There is a definition of climate justice from Mary Robinson, for instance, that we found would not achieve the best results.

Part of the amendment refers to something already in the Bill, namely, the common but differentiated responsibilities, which are outlined in the UNFCC, as was stated. Including the words "climate justice" in as broad as possible a way, without restrictions, will allow the Climate Action Advisory Council and the Minister to examine the most up-to-date research and science. It will allow us to do more in respect of climate justice and to take on board the latest research in that regard. I say this from a genuine place because I firmly believe that, fundamentally, we have to protect the poorest people on the planet, who have done the least to cause the problems. That has to be fundamental to everything we do, and we need to ensure we do not put the needs of our workers above those of people who can do little about the climate crisis. It is really important, across the board in the context of the Bill, to ensure we do not try to throw things into the pot that then tie our hands when it comes to doing what we need to do for the poorest on the planet. We need to keep up to date with what climate justice and a just transition mean, and with what it means to take the action required across the board when it comes to climate change.

I hope the Senator will consider what I have said and bear in mind that we are all coming from the same place. Fundamentally, the Green Party wants a just transition and climate justice to be part of this transition.