By Brian Houlihan

Citizens Assembly

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Recently the Citizens’ Assembly requested submissions on ‘How the State can make Ireland a leader in tackling climate change’. They specifically called for suggestions on (but not limited to) energy, transport and agriculture. For this public consultation process I took the opportunity to submit proposals on how hemp can be utilised in the fight against climate change.

So what is the Citizens’ Assembly?

The Citizens’ Assembly is a body comprising a chairperson (Ms. Justice Laffoy) and 99 citizens randomly chosen to be representative of the Irish electorate. It was established to consider five issues facing Ireland’s future including the eight amendment (abortion) and climate change.

In the submission I outlined how hemp can potentially revolutionise sectors such as: energy, agriculture, building, plastics and packaging. I also highlighted the benefit of creating a domestic industry which would provide a boost to the rural economy.