Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is the level of injustice. I mentioned The Lancet. We know that in rich countries, unless they refocus and frame themselves within justice, the forces of injustice are strong. We wanted this amendment accepted to strengthen the Minister's hand. The Minister mentioned the UNFCCC. I am glad it exists and that the Minister acknowledges its connection. Let us be clear, the Minister quoted extensively from Article 3 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. In the new section 3(3) on the climate objective being introduced in this Bill, the Minister and the Government are only specifically required to carry out their respective functions in a way that is consistent with the ultimate objective specified in Article 2. I have pointed out that we should be referencing the Paris Agreement in its totality and that we should also be referencing the UNFCCC, which I know we have signed up to and are bound by. The reason this is important is because that is the bit about the functions. We may well aim for that ultimate objective. I am glad that climate justice is mentioned in the Long Title of the Bill. I acknowledge that the Minister sees the goal of reaching net zero by 2050 as part of how we fulfil that ultimate objective. The bit that matters in amendment No. 4 is that in each of our decisions and actions between now and 2050 we would be consistent with and have regard to climate justice.Those are the reasons we would like to see it in the Bill and strengthened. I will draw the Minister's attention to the fact that if he is not accepting the amendment and if he is not going to put a particular requirement and definition on climate justice around decisions and actions, can he show us this, if it is not here in the Bill, in his decisions and actions in the next year and in the next climate plan? I will be watching the climate plan, as I know others will, to see whether climate justice decisions and actions are reflected fully. The NGOs who wrote to us, namely, Trócaire, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Concern and many others who are concerned, have many ideas and programmes they have put forward. Is Ireland going to step up on that? In the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action report we made a number of very practical recommendations on climate justice. Let us be clear that this is not about development aid, because this is stuff that we owe. It is also about loss and damage funding. It is not just about green financing but is about green adaptation funding. We should be giving this money to countries that are most affected.

Can the Minister at least guarantee us in this regard, and I am aware that he may not be able to come back to us on this? I am stating to the Minister, that if we have not put this definition of climate justice in the Bill now we will be watching extra carefully to ensure that climate justice is reflected in the actions of his Department and of the Government in how we engage in the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties later this year and in the position that Ireland is taking. Will Ireland take the positions that support climate justice and take actions and decisions that reflect that? It would have been a very useful opportunity for the Minister to send that signal today. I will be looking and watching for those signals as I am sure will all of the NGOs who support and care about climate justice. Of course, everybody cares about climate justice. All of the Government Members said that they support and care about climate justice.

Let us talk about the evidence. I hope the Minister will come back and that we will have a debate on climate justice in six months or in a year's time where he tells us the various ways that Ireland has stepped up to the plate on this issue. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach.