Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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5. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he or his officials will meet with a student (details supplied) who has started a hunger and thirst strike over concerns relating the climate crisis in order to address the issues the student has raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61103/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Ireland is committed to transitioning to a carbon neutral economy by 2050. Delivering on this ambition requires that the Government and people of Ireland come together and recognise their shared responsibility for climate change, and being accountable for taking climate actions in a manner that is transparent, appropriate, fair, and accessible to all. This will make it possible to realise opportunities such as new sustainable careers; warmer more energy-efficient homes; better travel options; more sustainable consumer choice; integrated spatial planning; cleaner air and water; and a better environment for future generations. To support this, the Government will continue to engage, enable and empower everyone in Irish society in a two-way dialogue leading to the co-creation of climate actions. The voices of young people and students are particularly important, and several initiatives have been established to ensure that they can be heard and influence the development of climate policy. In 2022, working with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), my Department established the first National Youth Assembly on Climate (NYAC) capturing the voices of 40 young people between the ages of 12 and 24 and facilitating young people’s input into the Climate Action Plan. Minister Roderic O’Gorman and I attended, met with delegates and personally listened to their concerns and recommendations. In November, the first Report on this NYAC was published. As part of the Climate Conversations 2022, we held a focus group with young people, and invited them to submit their views through our public consultation. Youth delegates also took part in our National Climate Stakeholder events in 2022.While I am unable to meet everyone individually, I have asked my officials to contact the individual concerned to listen to their concerns and suggest ways to get actively involved in influencing and informing climate policy with a view to being part of Ireland’s transition to a better society for all.