The Shinners won't be any better.4 May 2022 23:56
From the Business Post ESG briefing: McDonald warns of ‘damaging cliff edges’ in energy transition
There is little to be gained from “unmanageable” and “damaging cliff edges” in the energy transition, Mary Lou McDonald has said in a rare speech by the Sinn Féin leader on the party’s policy on the issue.
Speaking at the Business Post National Energy Summit last week, McDonald’s keynote address outlined the party’s position on upgrading Ireland’s power grid, ensuring domestic energy security; supporting industry and workers through a just transition; scaling up Ireland’s offshore wind and hydrogen sectors, and prioritising renewable energy projects in the planning system due to their strategic importance.
McDonald played up the potential of Ireland’s offshore renewable energy resources and said Sinn Féin would support the industry to make Ireland a major international exporter of clean energy.
“If we get this right, we can transform not just energy supply and security, but we can transform Ireland’s economic model,” McDonald said.
She said that in the immediate term, gas would continue to play a role in the energy system, but that the goal was a “fossil-free future”. She described the government’s 2030 climate targets as “ambitious” but added that they were also achievable. She said the country could “not afford to miss this target or lose any more time”.
She expressed concern, however, about elements of the urgent action and hard decisions others believe to be required on the issue.
“There is very little to be gained in creating unmanageable, damaging cliff-edges for our people or for industry as we navigate our way to a successful and just transition for everyone,” she said.
The government recently defeated a Sinn Féin motion that sought to scrap plans to restrict the sale of turf. The party has also campaigned against the planned carbon tax increase in May.
“As we advance change, the wheels of industry must continue to turn, and workers and families must be able to light and heat their homes . . . the focus must be on creating alternatives that allow for real change,” McDonald said.
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Does that mean Sinn Féin would be in favour of Barryroe to avoid a ‘damaging cliff edge’? Not on yer nelly. All politicians talk out of both sides of their mouth but the populist Shinners make it a fine art. So they will roast the Greens over the turf issue because that's good for the rural vote, but they will still toe the line on climate because it's a popular issue. In any case, the next election is still nearly three years away. Sleepy is in control until then and he is LOVING the energy crunch. Irish energy WILL fall off a cliff, but he'll be ready to trot out plenty of ass-covering excuses for his gross mismanagement.
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