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With the General Election date set for November 29th, the race is on for candidates around the country to meet and greet as many people as possible. But when it comes to the issues that matter most, it can be helpful to have some questions to hand.
The 2024 General Election on November 29th is a crucial moment for Ireland, offering voters a chance to shape the country’s stance on pressing global issues. If you care about topics like climate action and justice for Palestine, now is the time to make your voice heard.
In this blog, we present three key areas you can ask your candidates about: phasing out fossil fuels, supporting climate finance, and addressing human rights violations through the Occupied Territories Bill. Each section below provides essential questions to raise with your candidates, along with background information to help you understand the issues at stake.
Save this postcard! 📸 Below are three key questions to ask your candidates. Screenshot or save it so you can have these handy when speaking with your candidates.
Keep reading to dive into the context behind each question and why it matters for our shared future.
Ireland needs to move away from fossil fuels to meet climate goals. Ask your candidate if they support stopping new fossil fuel projects and boosting renewable energy.
Ask Your Candidate:
Why do we need to end fossil fuel use?
Fossil fuels are the source of 81% of carbon emissions over the past decade. They are the main driver of climate breakdown, with climate change already leading to extreme weather events, drought, floods and food shortages that harm people and communities. Those most affected by climate impacts are often the least responsible for causing them. Additionally, fossil fuels contribute to conflicts, threaten wildlife, and fuel global corruption.
While individual actions can help, real change requires systemic transformation. Despite urgent calls for action, there is currently no global binding plan to phase out fossil fuels. Ending our reliance on fossil fuels is essential for creating a sustainable and equitable future.
Protestors at COP 28 in Dubai. Photo: Konrad Skotnicki/ Trócaire.
What does ‘fairly and rapidly’ mean?
‘Fairly and rapidly’ means wealthier countries most responsible for climate change should phase out fossil fuels first and fastest, as they have caused most emissions and have the resources to make the switch.
It also means transitioning quickly enough to prevent severe climate impacts, but in a way that supports those most affected by the change —especially the most marginalised communities. This includes creating new jobs, investing in clean energy training, and providing financial support to communities that depend on fossil fuel industries. Importantly, it means centring the most marginalised voices worldwide in decisions and protecting everyone’s rights, including women’s, through meaningful representation.
Is this transition actually possible?
Yes! In 2023, Ireland generated more energy from wind than fossil gas for the first time. By increasing renewable energy and addressing energy waste from high-consumption sectors like data centres, Ireland can reach 100% clean energy faster.
Are you asking Ireland to do this alone? What’s a phase out fossil fuel treaty?
No, Ireland wouldn’t be acting alone. Despite years of climate talks, fossil fuels are still a major issue, with many governments still approving new coal, oil, and gas projects. In fact, together, governments plan to produce more than twice as many fossil fuels by 2030 as would be needed to keep global warming within the 1.5°C limit. A Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty would change this by pushing for:
Just as the world has banned weapons of mass destruction, we can work together to phase out fossil fuels. By joining the call for a treaty, Ireland can join the push for a safer, cleaner future.
What are the 3 Pillars of a Fossil Fuel Treaty?
How would Ireland benefit from a treaty on fossil fuels?
First, supporting this treaty would position Ireland as a global leader in climate action, leading the way for wealthy nations to promote climate justice, hold corporations accountable for their emissions, and ensure support for most marginalized communities by upholding human rights in the transition to clean energy.
Second, as an island nation, Ireland is highly vulnerable to climate impacts like extreme storms and flooding, which have already damaged homes and infrastructure. Supporting this treaty means we’re taking concrete action to protect our future and build a better world.
Third, the treaty would directly benefit Ireland by:
Is Ireland’s commitment not enough?
Though Ireland aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, fossil fuels still account for over 70% of our energy. Furthermore, at the very time when we urgently need to phase out fossil fuels, recent developments mean there is a very real and devastating potential that Ireland might actually introduce new fossil fuel infrastructure through Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals that would lock us into dirty fossil fuels and risk human rights harms elsewhere.
A treaty would set a clear path for ending coal, oil, and gas reliance, ensuring Ireland leads by example. The very first step that the Government must take is committing to no new fossil fuel infrastructure of any kind in Ireland.
Countries hit hardest by climate change need financial help. Check if your candidate supports increasing Ireland’s funding to help those most affected.
Ask Your Candidate:
Animals that have perished as a result of drought in Ethiopia, 2023. Photo: Photo: Barnaby Jaco Skinner/Trócaire
Why should Ireland contribute to climate finance for the Global South/climate vulnerable countries?
Countries like Ireland have contributed significantly to the emissions driving climate breakdown. While wealthier countries have benefited from fossil fuel use, many lower-income nations are now facing the worst impacts — from extreme storms, wildfires, and droughts, to rising sea levels — despite having contributed the least to the problem.
These impacts are destroying homes, farmland, and infrastructure, with the poorest bearing the brunt, despite contributing only 12% of all greenhouse gas emissions (the poorest half of the world, nearly 4 billion people).
Importantly, the responsibility of wealthy countries to provide this climate funding is clearly stated in the Paris Agreement (the international UN agreement on climate change).
What is ‘Loss and Damage’?
Loss and Damage refers to the unavoidable and irreversible climate impacts affecting communities, particularly in the Global South. These issues arise from decades of uncontrolled fossil fuel extraction and burning by the wealthiest countries.
These impacts, like extreme floods, droughts, rising sea levels, and melting glaciers, hit the most vulnerable communities hardest, even though they’ve contributed the least to the problem—leading to displacement and making some regions potentially unlivable.
The historic global agreement in 2022 to finally establish a new Loss and Damage Fund is an acknowledgement that these impacts are happening, that those experiencing it are disproportionately poorer people in lower-income countries, and that rich countries must urgently provide new and additional finance to address it.
What is Ireland’s fair share?
A country’s ‘fair share’ ensures that climate-related costs are distributed justly, based on contributions to the problem and capacity to help address it. Ireland has fallen well short of this global goal.
It is estimated that Ireland’s fair share of climate finance is approximately €500 million per year. Ireland provided €120 million in climate finance in 2022, just one-fifth of its fair share. Even with Ireland committing to providing €225 million in climate finance in 2025, this is still only 45% of its current fair share of what is needed to meet its fair share and support those most impacted by climate breakdown. Furthermore, Ireland has pledged less than 1% of its fair share of Loss and Damage finance, which is at least €1.5 billion annually by 2030.
What can be done to fund this? Does Ireland have the funds?
Civil society organisations are demanding a minimum of $1 trillion in public finance for the new climate finance goal to be agreed at COP29 (the UN climate change talks). This will increase the finance required from all rich countries currently responsible for climate finance, including Ireland. The government could explore revenue options such as taxing corporate profits, especially from fossil fuel companies, and seeking contributions from high-emission industries like shipping and aviation.
While the funding needs are substantial, it’s important to note that a recent report by Oil Change International shows that rich countries could raise over $5 trillion a year by stopping financial support for fossil fuels, making big polluters pay, and changing unfair financial rules. This shows that richer countries have the money and that resources for climate action are actually available.
Why does this matter?
Without financial support, lower-income countries will struggle to recover from climate disasters and build resilience. This can lead to increased poverty, displacement, and loss of livelihoods, exacerbating existing inequalities. Ireland’s contribution to the Loss and Damage Fund can help address this disparity and demonstrate leadership in tackling the global climate crisis.
By supporting vulnerable nations, Ireland not only fulfils its moral responsibility but also strengthens global efforts to combat climate change, ultimately benefiting all countries through improved stability and cooperation.
The Occupied Territories Bill aims to stop trade with illegal settlements. Ask your candidate if they back this bill, especially in relation to Palestine.
Ask Your Candidate:
What is the Occupied Territories Bill?
The Occupied Territories Bill (OTB) is a proposed law that would ban trade between Ireland and illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land. It would make it a criminal offense in Ireland to import goods or services from these settlements, which are recognized as illegal under international law.
Why is this Bill urgent now?
With the risk of genocide and unprecedented violence and destruction unfolding before our eyes in Gaza, along with ongoing land theft and escalating violence in the West Bank, the Occupied Territories Bill must pass without further delay. The OTB represents a historic step for Ireland to hold Israel accountable for war crimes. If passed, Ireland would be the first Western country to take such a stand, just as it did against apartheid in South Africa.
Activists march in Dublin calling for politicians to pass the occupied territories bill. Photo: Garry Walsh / Trócaire.
Are all political parties supporting this Bill?
Yes. For the first time ever, following renewed pressure from Trócaire and other groups in recent months, every Irish political party has announced their support for the Occupied Territories Bill. This consensus creates a historic opportunity to hold Israel accountable for its actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
If so, why should I ask my candidate about this Bill?
While it’s encouraging that all political parties support the OTB, asking your candidate about their commitment to passing it within 100 days of taking office is crucial. This ensures that they prioritize this important legislation and hold themselves accountable to their constituents. It also sends a clear message that the public expects prompt action on human rights issues, especially given the urgent humanitarian crisis.
What are illegal settlements and why are they illegal?
Illegal settlements are Israeli residential, agricultural, and commercial developments built on land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which are recognized as occupied territory under international law. These settlements lie outside Israel’s borders, and their expansion forces Palestinian communities out from their land, undermining their self-determination and driving poverty and human rights violations.
The EU deems these settlements illegal and obstacles to peace. Yet EU countries, including Ireland, continue to support their viability. Today, 750,000 Israeli settlers control much of the occupied West Bank’s land and resources.
Does this Bill only affect Israel?
The Bill applies to any occupied territories with a clear international consensus on their status. Right now, this includes the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which the International Court of Justice, the world’s highest court, has confirmed as illegally occupied.
Would this mean a boycott of Israel?
No, the Bill does not implement a boycott of Israel. It only targets goods from illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, not from Israel itself.
What has changed recently to support this Bill?
In October 2024, Ireland received new legal advice from the Attorney General, which now supports the Bill. The updated legal view is based on an International Court of Justice opinion in July 2024, confirming that Israeli settlements are illegal and advising that all countries should refrain from trading with them.
What’s next for the Bill?
The Irish Government has sent the Bill to the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs for review —an important step toward making it law. After the review, if the Bill progresses, it will go through final votes before reaching the President for signing. Continued pressure is needed to ensure the OTB progresses and is enacted as quickly as possible.
