The Minister of State would do well to look at his own Government colleagues in relation to what he just said. I know local authorities throughout the country, such as the planning regulator in Kildare, Westmeath, and other places – places where my party do not have any representatives, are saying one thing but doing another. I have a question again about the climate action plan and the sectoral emissions ceilings needed. I would like the Minister of State's views on those needed to achieve a 51% reduction in green…

Today is a significant day but we have been here before. A couple of years ago, the Government set out a climate action plan. Much in today's climate action plan is similar. We are a couple of years on and limited progress has been made on the targets. We had 183 actions and we will have 200 today. How does the Government bring the public with it on this journey and how is it funded? My first supplementary question is about the funding. It will cost €125 billion. The Government plans to raise €9.5 billion in a carb…

To continue on the issue of finance, it is more than disappointing that we missed targets. Some of it is because the focus is not there and some is because the finance is not there. A different approach was applied during the pandemic. There was substantial state borrowing at a national and international level and states led on it. An entirely different approach seems to be proposed here. It is taxes and nudges and signals to the market. It is fundamentally a dud. Does the Minister of State think that we will soon …

My question is similar to others that have been asked and concerns a failure of Government to deliver on a potential positive in climate action. In offshore wind, we have a lack of a framework and regulation. In onshore wind, we have a lack of guidelines. We have similar issues with microgeneration. I ask the Minister of State his plans to expand the solar photovoltaics, PV, output throughout the State and the way he plans to make solar PV more accessible to schools, GAA clubs, local authorities and farms.

I thank the Minister of State. It is a missed opportunity to date. We see, and it was reported in the media during the week, the level of openness and the opportunities that exist to cover roof space with solar panels. The benefit of that in offsetting the cost of electricity, heating water and running businesses is there for everybody to see. It is a perfect example of where there is a willingness on behalf of communities. I would like to hear from the Minister of State what the hold-up is in this. Is it intransig…

The Minister of State will have full support from the Opposition to move this on as quickly as possible. We need to see the detail of the proposals. My colleague, Deputy Stanley, published legislation some years ago on this and we still have not seen the type of action we need. Will the Minister of State confirm we will not be presented with a load of ridiculous exemptions that rule out buildings such as farm sheds, schools, public authority buildings or community centres on spurious criteria? There are criteria co…

I ask the Minister of State the status of the Government review on the North-South interconnector and the impact the judicial review decision in the North will have on this project.

The principle that applies here is one that needs to apply across our transition to a zero-carbon economy. It is one of community engagement and consultation. It is not being applied here in the way it should be. It seems that the Government is determined to do this transition by megaphone diplomacy on the picket line or at the farm gate. It is already a major problem and that will continue to be the case unless the Government changes tack. I got information from the Department yesterday that two leading Italian co…

Given the way this review has been framed, I do not think many hold the expectation but, in theory, one of the conclusions it might come to is that the review does not hold firm and that the project should change tack. From listening to the CEO, it appears to be proceeding full steam ahead. That raises the question of the purpose of the desktop review that is being conducted by the two Italian consultants. Is it not the case that it is a waste of taxpayers' money to fudge the issue for the Minister of State's colle…

I raised this issue at our previous session with the Minister and I do so again to have it on record. This is not a reflection on the Minister of State but it is frustrating and disappointing not to have the senior Minister here. In particular, the fact that we did not receive correspondence shows the worst of form. These sessions are arranged well in advance and we could have rearranged today's session. I ask the Minister of State for her views on the challenge facing the road haulage sector. We have a crisis in t…

I thank the Minister of State. It is worth pointing out three of the five priority questions are on this issue, which highlights its importance. We are in the run-up to Christmas and there considerable focus on it, as there needs to be. The Minister of State referred to a number of issues and I will reflect on some of them from the perspective of the sector. On the fuel rebate, the sector is saying the scheme needs to be reviewed and expanded and must support the transition to alternative fuels. The sector points t…

I am sure other Deputies will come in on the same points. On fuel costs, the Government needs to act where it has an opportunity or is in a position to do so. There are such opportunities with the rebate, the carbon tax and elsewhere. I will now focus on the issue of workers. I am hearing a number of things from the sector. The issue is one of bureaucracy. According to the sector, the Department with responsibility for business is struggling to cope with the process and there are hold-ups with the RSA in terms of t…

What action has the Minister of State taken to keep transport workers and passengers safe on buses, trains and trams, given the worrying reports of threats, violence, antisocial behaviour, and worse, on public transport? I ask her to make a statement on the matter.

I thank the Minister of State for her response. This is an issue that has been in the news in recent days and weeks. We have all heard first-hand the experiences of both passengers and workers. It is of serious concern for a number of reasons, not least the impact it has on the individuals affected. I know from speaking to workers and their representatives, not just in the transport unions but elsewhere as well, that they are not calling for transport police, like the airport police or the transport police they hav…

The solution, which if effective might not need to be a long-term one, is visibility, presence and deterrence. I note that there are significant commitments in the programme for Government to the resourcing of the Garda to deal with antisocial behaviour, among other things. Another commitment in the programme for Government is the establishment of a national public transport forum involving all stakeholders and the commencement of section 17 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. That forum would be helpful in…

What about the transport forum?

In fairness, that is poor scheduling.

I raise the ongoing issues at the Irish Coast Guard, which have been identified. In the first instance, I raise the issue of the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General following the investigation into the procurement of vehicles for the Irish Coast Guard.

I read the Comptroller and Auditor General's report. It highlighted to me a litany of issues around public procurement in the Irish Coast Guard. There are concerns that need to be taken back to the Department and acted on. The Minister of State will be aware of the range of other issues that have been raised in recent times about the Irish Coast Guard’s governance, structure, culture and morale, as well as a series of allegations which raise concern. I wonder if the Minister of State is aware of those. Has she met …

I appreciate that response, specifically about the Comptroller and Auditor General and procurement. My follow-on question is that I am concerned that the procurement issues were a symptom of potentially wider issues within the Irish Coast Guard. We are hearing clearly about these issues from the new representative group, the Irish Coast Guard Volunteers Representative Association. There was the resignation of volunteers in Doolin in recent days, as well as the standing down of the Coast Guard there. There will be s…