Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The first National Youth Assembly on Climate (NYAC) took place online on 2 March 2022, hosted by my Department and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).

The NYAC consisted of a diverse group of 30 to 40 young people, aged 12 – 24 years from across Ireland.

In November 2022, the Report of the National Youth Assembly on Climate 2022was published. This provided a record of the discussions, the views of young people and their concerns in relation to climate issues, and included Calls to Action across many policy areas. The recommendations from this report are now clearly reflected in the Climate Action Plan 2023.

The second NYAC took place in person on 10 March 2023, and was again opened by Minister O’Gorman. The topics the young delegates chose as priority areas this year included the Circular Economy, Communications and Engagement, and Sustainable Transport.

The outputs from the day are now being summarised and in the next few weeks I will be attending an online feedback webinar where I, along with my Department colleagues, will be able to hear the Calls to Action presented to me by the delegates and discuss how we can take their ideas forward.

The NYAC offers me as Minister and my Department the opportunity to engage in a really meaningful way with young people and make sure their voices are reflected in national climate policies.