Political Climate . . .12 Jun 2019 20:44
Thanks for the Joint Committee update.
Séan Canney is from rural Galway, and his constituents may have a view on the economic value of a successful exploration venture in nearby waters. The Climate Emergency Measures Bill 2018 is like striking oil, for Brid Smith and PBP. Brid's constituency of Dublin South Central has no voters who stand to gain anything from exploration, so she can be sure it will not cost her anything. Moreover, it is such a 'big stance' on such a hot topic, that it makes her look unusually stateman-like, almost global in posture. Anytime she says anything about it, she is guaranteed a platform and media coverage. As I say, an oil strike that keeps on giving, for a local protest-politician.
The Fianna Fáil position is important. A good insight given on the Late Debate with Sarah McInerney on RTE radio on Thursday last the 6th June. Brid Smith, Andrew Doyle (FG), John Lahart (FF) and Eamon Ryan. Ryan did not get too stuck in on behalf of the CEM Bill, presumably because of the risk of being aligned with PBP. John Lahart clarified that they (FF) have supported the Bill to get to Committee stage, but so they could bring 'practical improvements' to the Bill . . like commencing with exploration licences made from 2022 forward, to get current licences 'progressed out of the system'. Fortunately FF have not lost all of their entrepreneurial nouse and 'real-world' perspective.
https://twitter.com/LatedebateRTE/status/1136729760804089857