Mattie McGrath urges pause on just transition rush
Mattie McGrath criticised the pace and process of the proposed just transition measures, arguing decisions are being rushed and amendments are being rejected. He urged the minister to allow more time for proper debate and to listen to constituents, including farmers and households affected by the carbon tax.
Main complaint
McGrath challenged the speed of the proceedings, questioning "why the rush, why the indecent haste, why the guillotine" and why all amendments were rejected. He acknowledged the minister's conciliatory tone but said that tone did not address the underlying issue of insufficient time for debate.
Constituents' concerns
He said many people represented by him and other deputies are confused and fearful, citing farmers, young people, and named local examples such as Natalie Curling Hill, Moranogic and Chuckie Sheet. He highlighted practical problems: people trying to access the warmer homes grant, buy insulation, and build houses that have risen in cost.
Economic impacts cited
McGrath attributed a rise in house-building costs of about 40% mainly to the carbon tax and pointed to people buying briquettes imported from Germany and elsewhere because local supplies are unavailable. He said people are living through these issues and want proof that proposed measures will not harm them.
Comparisons and evidence requested
He urged colleagues to look at what farming organisations are doing in France on issues like meat and gas and to examine the air grid concerns raised by constituents. McGrath said these are not hypothetical worries but lived experiences that warrant attention.
Appeal to the minister
While accepting the minister's conciliatory remarks, he repeatedly appealed for latitude and reasonable time to debate and consider amendments. He asked the minister to reflect on the frustration of those he represents and to allow a proper, measured process rather than a rushed guillotine.
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Minister Ryan, look, you sounded conciliatory, and you sounded, and I said at the very start that I didn't want to have anything personal, but you seem to be missing the point, what we're trying to represent, that so many people, you're not bringing them with you, the Natalie Curling Hill, and you know, Moranogic, and Chuckie Sheet, and we want the young people to be involved and help, and indeed we admire them, but there's so much confusion, there's so much fear, and why the rush, why the indecent haste, why the guillotine, and why reject all amendments, in your conciliatory tone, and I appreciate it, and you know, it sounds great, but why the rush can, why not give enough time to debate, I'm not saying we delayed for two years, I'm saying we delayed for a month, or whatever, and have proper debate, and look at amendments, talk to the farming organizations I said about what they're doing in France with the meat and gas, you know, prove us wrong about our worries, we didn't dream it up, air grid, they're telling us, the people are living through these issues, so I'm appealing to you, at this stage again, to, and our minimums aren't going to be reached obviously, to reflect on it, and please, in your conciliatory tone, that you've just had in your last seven minutes, understand our frustration, and the people we represent's frustration, and that's our job, it's talk to Dali, a messenger of the people, to represent the people here, who are in Deputy Nolan's constituency, they see the damage, the so-called just transition, it's an unjust imposition, listen to the farmers, listen to the people that are out there, listen to the people trying to get the warmer homes grant, listen to the people trying to buy insulation, listen to the people that are trying to build houses now that have gone up 40%, mainly due to carbon tax, and listen to the people who are buying briquettes imported from Germany and elsewhere, and they can't buy them at home, it's just nonsense, so, in the same conciliatory tone, I appeal to you, appeal to you, I beg of you, to give this the latitude for proper, reasonable debate, and time, nothing more, nothing less. Thank you very much Deputy.
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