Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 June 2021
117. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 67 of 19 May 2021, if he will publish the Just Transition Commissioner’s latest report given the added importance of its timing as the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 progresses through the legislative stages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29405/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government appointed Mr Kieran Mulvey as Just Transition Commissioner in November 2019 to facilitate discussions and work with stakeholders to develop, mobilise and deliver opportunities for the Midlands for both the workers directly affected and the wider community. The Commissioner is undertaking his work with administrative support provided by my Department. The Commissioner is also being supported in certain of his engagements with stakeholders in the Midlands by the Secretariat to the Midlands Regional Transition Team.
The Commissioner has prepared three progress reports to date and the first two reports are available on my Department's website at http://www.gov.ie/decc/. I have received and am considering the Commissioner’s third report and I intend to publish it shortly. I anticipate requesting the Commissioner to prepare a further report before the end of 2021, with a view to considering progress to date in implementing the range of interventions that have been put in place by the Government.
I intend that the Climate Action Plan 2021 will contain a specific chapter on just transition which will address the Programme for Government commitment to prepare an implementation plan in response to the recommendations contained in the Commissioner’s reports.
