The Day We Took Over The Dáil

It was a big day in Ireland’s fresh battle to tackle climate change, and a big day for Greystones girl Molly Gordon Boles too.

The Templecarrig 6th year student joined five other Wicklow teenagers at the first-ever Youth Assembly On Climate at Dáil Eireann, there were 157 young delegates around the country giving the powers that be a piece of their minds.

Broadcast live by RTÉ here in Ireland, and reported upon around the world – including CNN in the US – we asked Molly to keep a diary of this momentous day. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given her admirable work in the climate change battle, the Greystones girl went above and beyond, taking a series of photographs of her experience too.

Take it away, Molly…

As one of 157 delegates, aged between 10 and 17, we met outside Leinster House on Friday 15th November to begin this historic day. After a photo shoot and some chants (with a bit of telling off from the official!), we went into the Chamber to take our seats.

There were speeches from each of the five committees: – education (mine!), power, agriculture, environment and economics-  which were broadcast live on RTE.

We then split into our committees to debate on the proposals we wanted to present to the Government. In the Education Room, we discussed food packaging labels to carbon emissions counter and we whittled it down to two proposals – a public information campaign and a new sustainability school subject to be introduced to the national curriculum. We then recharged in the Oireachtas restaurant before heading back into the Chamber to hear the ten selected proposals.

Recommendations

From your corner store to your super market, we call on the house to incentivise and obligate the installation of glass doors on open refrigerators

For Ireland to ban the importation of fracked gas and invest solely in renewables.

Implementing measures that will allow that Irish goods be both eco-sustainable and affordable in today’s Irish market.

Implement a tiered Tax on Emissions from large companies including those under capital ETS. This tax must be increased every year while threshold decreases, shifting the burden from individuals to corporations.

Investment in industrial hemp facilities to provide a viable, sustainable and alternative land use for farmers as well as employment in rural Ireland.

A labelling and pricing system showing the climate impact of food products based on criteria such as impact of packaging and distance travelled.

Ireland to outlaw acts of ecocide – being the widespread and systematic loss of ecosystems, including climate and cultural damage.

Protect existing forests and make compulsory that at least 10% of all land owned for agricultural uses is dedicated to forestry.

A targeted nationwide Information campaign to educate the population about the climate crisis regarding the causes, the effects and the solutions.

Mandatory Sustainability education from primary level to the workplace including a new compulsory Junior Cycle & optional Leaving Certificate subject.

The proposals were then presented to Minister for Climate Action Richard Bruton. Afterwards, I attended a Thank You reception in RTE with my mum, where there was DJ John Gibbons playing some great tunes, whilst a mix of Irish celebs came in to chat with us along with the Director General, Dee Forbes. We got to let our hair down at last! The day ended with some delegates going on The Late Late Show to talk about the day.

It was a great day, seeing all the young people who have been striking for months unite together, and many of whom are now great friends of mine from all around Ireland.

Hopefully it is not just lip service and that the Government makes a change. It is time for action.