Climate warning and fossil fuels
Deputy Smith cited the WMO's warning on the 1.5°C threshold and urged an end to fossil fuel development and LNG imports. The Taoiseach said the warning was a wake-up call that justified continued carbon pricing and wider climate action.
Thank you. We are out of time. I will give the two remaining Deputies 30 seconds each. I call Deputy Bríd Smith.
Comment on this
On the day that the World Meteorological Organization, WMO, has warned that the planet has a 50-50 chance of average global temperatures soaring 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels at least once in the next five years, will the Taoiseach agree that this means the shot across the bows that we have received from the WMO means that we absolutely must move away from burning fossil fuels, that we cannot develop Barryroe or any other fossil fuel infrastructure and, indeed, that we must now commit not to import LNG into this country?
Comment on this
Private coach operators are currently struggling for survival and need urgent financial assistance or to be included in the fare reduction scheme.
Many of these operators have stated they may not be in a position to provide school transport for children come September, such is the need and urgency for them to be given some assistance. Will the Taoiseach take action to ensure these operators are included in a fare reduction scheme and are given much-needed financial assistance? We also need to ensure we have school transport come September.
Comment on this
I have already spoken in the House about the warnings about climate change, that we were likely to hit 1.5°C in the next five years, and how this is a wake-up call to everybody in the House. It means we have to continue with the carbon tax. We should do so to enable us to raise revenue to enable us to retrofit more homes to make them more energy efficient, for environmentally friendly farming and to protect against fuel poverty. Collectively, there has to be a realisation in the House this is very serious for future generations. We are in deep trouble, as a world, in respect of climate change.