The Taoiseach has confirmed that the Government supports the principles of Just Transition for tackling climate change.
Labour leader Brendan Howlin spoke about the rise of "climate scepticism" following the the election in Finland at the weekend.
Mr Howlin said there is a strong scientific consensus that we have 11 years make serious changes to our economies in order to stave off the worst impacts of global climate change. He said that "reducing and phasing out our carbon emissions over the next 30 years will allow us to sustain most of our way of life while limiting the further harm that our economies will cause the planet."
He said that this is not a solution to climate change but it is the least worst option.
Mr Howlin asked the Government to confirm that it is committed to the Just Transition approach advocated by Labour and the trade union movement.
This means setting up robust funds to assist with home insulation and to mitigate increased fuel costs, he said, to support job creation in industries that will be displaced as we make the necessary adjustments.
The Taoiseach said that the Government supports the principles of Just Transition when it comes to climate change.
He said that he anticipates Minister Bruton will bring forward the all of Government climate action plan in May.
Mr Varadkar did say that the Government need to be honest with people: "The cost of renovating and insulating every home in Ireland is €50 billion. There isn't a government that could find that kind of money, so people will have to bear most of the cost of insulating their own homes. The Government is not in a position to buy everyone an electric vehicle."
He said that is where a Government must bring in a measure like the carbon charge or carbon tax, to make things that damage the environment more expensive - but on the flip side, using subsidies, fuel allowance, the welfare system, to make sure that it is just.
