Tag: Just Transition

Bríd engages with witnesses at the committee and makes the point that Ireland and the EU are being hypocritical when we is prepared to do deals with countries that do not respect policies to protect the environment, through ‘carbon leakage’.

Bríd who was on the Dáil Climate Committee refers to the extensive work of that committee which brought over 20 recommendations to tackle climate change to the government. The only measure the govt have focussed on is Carbon Tax increase for ordinary people, leaving corporations who promote and use fossil fuels, off the hook. Fuel poverty and sharp practice by fuel providers are rampant in Ireland, and those suffering as a result are the very ones targeted by Carbon Tax increases.

Very worrying responses on the Climate Committee today. What’s happening for the workers in Just Transition is far from clear, with one of the experts telling us that “..process is as important as outcome..” and then passing the buck when it comes to specifics, like Bord na Móna workers. Very interesting too to learn that a strategy based on ‘carbon capture and storage’, may have niche role in some areas, but can generally can create more problems than it solves. And planting more trees is no blanket solution either, producing unwanted results like changes to the soil.

Kieran Mulvey has been appointed Commissioner for Just Transition. He attended our Climate Committee today and we had an opportunity to raise concerns. One point I raised is that management of Bord na Mona seem a great pains to avoid engagement with the Workerplace Relations Commission, which the workers very definitely want and need. Workers loosing their jobs need justice.

 

On the Climate Action Committee, Just Transition for Bord na Mona workers was discussed by unions representing the workers and company and government representatives. This is the exchange between Brid and Patricia King of the ICTU

Brid puts Niall Boylan back his box while defending Extinction Rebellion… and…other topics include cross border opportunities, vaccination and JUST TRANSITION.

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Brid spoke on the radio programme The Late Debate, 4.10.19 though it is also live-streamed (with results of varying quality). The clips here are mostly climate related issues, including ‘Just Transition’ for workers.

Last show of the season. Brief clips here of Brid’s contributions on Brexit, Just Transition from fossil fuels and what it means for workers; the political hope that lies with our youth, and discussion of the majot political issues for the future.