A school pupil told the Dail that TDs should be embarrassed that they have to sit in their seats and educate them about climate change.
Ireland’s first Youth Assembly gathered in the Dail on Friday to discuss what Ireland needs to do to tackle the climate crisis.
Over 150 young people aged between 10 and 17 from 26 counties took TDs seats in the Dail, which was chaired by Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghail.
Conal O’Boyle, 17, from Donegal said: “Although this is a proud moment for all of us here, I personally feel it’s a shame we need to be here in the first place.
“It shouldn’t be a proud day for those in government and this should not be used as another exercising PR for them.
“The fact that we are sitting in their seats today should serve as a massive embarrassment to them and I hope it is.
“Because they’ve embarrassed this country on an international level when it comes to climate action.”
Sioda Monaghan, 14, from Co Mayo asked how many more lives had to be lost before serious action was taken.
She said the total number of fatalities due to Storm Lorenzo alone was ten, which was ten lives too many.
And said the consequences of climate change are right now and ignoring it was inhumane, cruel and not an option.
Meanwhile, Leo Varadkar said he is inspired by young people who are highlighting the consequences of climate change.
He said: “They’re the ones who understand the science. They’re the ones who get it.
“And, they are the ones who are demanding action from adults and politicians and from people in power and influence in politics and business and society.
“I have been really inspired by the extent to which young people have taken this issue on and forced all of us to put it very near the top of our agenda.”
However, the Taoiseach said climate actions could not be looked at in isolation and people need to look at what other consequences are.
He told RTE’s Morning Ireland that climate action needed to be poverty proofed and that “we don’t as a result of climate action increase poverty or unemployment.”
He also said he will meet with a delegation from the youth assembly in the coming weeks with Richard Bruton, the Minister responsible for Climate Action and the Ceann Comhairle to discuss recommendations.
Among the 10 recommendations made by the Youth Assembly on Friday included the ban on importation of fracked gas and a a tiered tax on emissions from large companies.
