The Taoiseach's presence at the recent COP27 conference held in Egypt this week was discussed by two local representatives on today's Joe Finnegan Show.
According to Deputy Niamh Smyth, she is "concerned" about the future of young people, meanwhile Deputy Matt Carthy believes it's important to look at the situation and meet emission targets at a national level.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Deputy Niamh Smyth, said she believes the Taoiseach's presence at the COP27 conference was "crucial" as was the presence of every other world leader.
Making reference to the cohort of young people who were protesting outside Leinster house today, Deputy Smyth says their actions highlight how concerned they are about the current climate action situation and fears for the future world, or what little could be left of it.
Deputy Smyth stated that we cannot deny that changes need to be made any longer and that a societal shift is needed to tackle the issue.
She also highlighted her ambitions to bring a railway line to the Northern Sound region from Dublin, adding that although the current green energy transition may seem like an uphill battle, it's important to keep at it:
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein's Matt Carthy said that while it is "of course" important to be ambitious, it's also important to put plans in place for that.
According to Deputy Carthy, emission targets are constantly being missed at a national level.
Travelling from Monaghan to Longford town today, Deputy Carthy revealed that he did not pass through one single public bus route or electric charging point and as a result was left with no other option but use his own diesel-powered car.
Adding that this is part of where the problem lies for people in rural communities.
"When I'm in Leinster House I hear Government say to people who live in these counties that the answer lies with them and if they don't change their lifestyle they will be charged more through carbon tax and other measures," he said.
As a result, Deputy Carthy said he does not believe charging people for services that aren't there is the way forward:
