Green Party urges RTÉ to host televised debate on climate change
Sharp/sharppix To Why Party With Said 'very Picture: Pauline O’reilly Not That O’reilly Paul Green Hard Senator Rté Was It O’gorman Climate (right) Ms A Is Understand' Roderic File (left) Holding Leader Debate
The Green Party has written to RTÉ director General Kevin Bakhurst, calling for the broadcaster to host a televised debate on climate change ahead of the general election.
The Greens have also issued a letter to the leaders of all Irish political parties, calling for them to engage with such calls.
In a letter to the broadcaster, Green senator Pauline O’Reilly said that it was “very hard to understand” why RTÉ is not holding a climate debate.
Ms O’Reilly highlighted the broadcaster's plan on climate change coverage, which states that “RTÉ will embrace its role in informing and engaging the public on this critical issue”.
In her letter, Ms O’Reilly said that the flooding in Valencia, Spain, where over 220 people died, was a direct consequence of climate change.
Scroll for results in your area
“Failure to even host a debate on the subject represents a gross failure to understand the reality of the world we are living in,” Ms O’Reilly said.
“RTÉ owes it to the Irish public to host a debate on the defining issue of our time with the future leaders of our country who will decide the path we take over the critical five years ahead."
Speaking outside the broadcaster’s headquarters in Donnybrook, Ms O’Reilly reiterated the impact of floods in Europe, but also highlighted damage caused by flooding in her home county of Galway.
Ms O’Reilly said that it was “really important” for all political parties to step up and explain their plans to deal with climate change, highlighting its importance after Donald Trump won the 2024 US Presidential election. “It’s more important than ever now,” she added.
In recent days, RTÉ hosted a climate debate on its Late Debate programme on Radio One. The broadcaster also hosted a housing debate last Monday, with plans underway for a televised 10-way party leader debate next week.
RTÉ has been contacted for comment.
CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB