The newly amended Climate Action Bill has sparked a call for government to address issues affecting the midlands.

Published yesterday, 06 January, the Bill seeks to to cover a myriad of new climate change measures including a ban on the sale of fossil fuel cars by 2030, carbon budgeting and the establishment of decarbonisation targets for each sector.

Fianna Fáil representative Barry Cowen TD has expressed concerns over the absence of a just transition fund promised for the midlands.

Speaking on the issue, Deputy Cowen said: "It is disappointing to again see no action on the Government's plans to ring-fence the carbon tax in the upcoming Climate Action (Amendment) Bill. Without a legislative underpinning, the carbon tax could be used by future Governments to fund overspending or tax cuts for those on higher incomes instead of supporting a just transition as has been promised.

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"It is not good enough – we need a legal guarantee that these funds will be used to tackle climate change. If they want money for the next Children's Hospital, they shouldn't be taking it from the Midlands to fund it.

"Fianna Fáil agreed to increases in the carbon tax on the basis that increases in this tax would be used to reduce our carbon footprint, protect the least well-off and to support the Midlands and other areas in the transition away from fossil fuels, in particular for peat workers employed by Bord na Móna. The ESB peat plants are set to close by year end and the newly Just Transition Commissioner has not even been allocated proper resources.

"This is yet another example of the Midlands being an afterthought. It's not good enough and must be addressed as soon as possible. The Minister for Communications and the Minister for Finance must come together and explain why they are unwilling to provide a legal guarantee that these funds will be invested in supporting Bord na Móna workers into the future."

(CM/MH)