Dáil calls time on fossil fuel exploration in historic vote

Bill to end offshore drilling licences passes first legislative hurdle

The Stop Climate Chaos Coalition has described today's Dáil vote in favour of the Climate Emergency Measures Bill as "historic". The Bill, proposed by People Before Profit TD Brid Smith, would end the issuing of licences to explore for oil and gas in Irish waters. It passed the second stage debate and was referred to the Climate Action Committee by 78 votes to 48, with cross-party support emerging to overcome Government opposition to the Bill.

Stop Climate Chaos spokesperson, Meaghan Carmody, said:

"Leo Varadkar put his Government on the wrong side of history today. The Government clung to the past but they lost. Dáil Eireann voted to take another step towards a fossil fuel free future.

"This vote is also a testament to the thousands of citizens who contacted their TDs in the last few weeks and to the young activists who are leading the charge to keep fossil fuels in the ground."

Cliona Sharkey, Policy Advisor with Trócaire, said

"There is no time to lose in the fight against climate change. We hope the Government will come on board and help see this important piece of legislation through as quickly as possible. If passed, it will be one of only a handful of laws like it internationally - a rallying call to others to act.

"The impacts at today's level of warming on the communities Trócaire is working with are devastating. The majority support for the Climate Emergency Measures Bill, following the majority support for the Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill currently making its way through the Oireachtas, are signs of hope for those suffering the impacts."

Oisin Coghlan, Director of Friends of the Earth, commented

"Today's vote once again shows the potential of new politics to produce positive, progressive results in an empowered parliament. The veto power not only of government but of the civil service has been broken. A more open, deliberative, and collegiate legislative process is slowly taking root.

"A quiet word from a powerful vested interest is no longer enough to kill a Bill. Every party has to be able to justify its position in the light of day to concerned citizens."

The Climate Emergency Measures Bill now goes to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action and the Environment for detailed scrutiny.

Notes

1. Details of the Bill are here: http://bit.ly/CEMBill18

2. The Stop Climate Chaos briefing on the Bill and the issues it addresses are here: http://bit.ly/SCC010218

3. Stop Climate Chaos is the civil society coalition campaigning for Ireland to do its fair share to tackle climate change. The Coalition’s 33 members include overseas aid and development, environmental, youth and faith-based organisations.