Through ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement, Ireland has committed to limiting global average temperature increase, caused by human activities, to “well below 2°C” over pre-industrial levels, and taking actions to attempt to respect a lower limit of +1.5°C over pre-industrial. These goals are based on the best available scientific assessment of likely severe risks of dangerous climate change on a very widespread global basis as these temperature limits are approached or exceeded. Failing to hold to these temperature goals would raise very real potential for climate change impacts on a scale that could overwhelm any possibility of effective adaptation. This is not an issue of an uncertain, distant future: climate change profoundly threatens the security and welfare of younger generations already living today, in Ireland and globally. For Ireland to play our “equitable” part, we would likely now require a sustained reduction in gross greenhouse gas emissions (especially, but not exclusively CO2) of at least 8-10% year on year, every year, until they have fallen effectively to zero (i.e. well below natural, background, processes of CO2 removal). This represents, in effect, a “national emergency” scale response — but an emergency response that would have to be sustained for decades. Yet nothing short of such a scale of action could now represent genuine, fair, international leadership in tackling climate change. However, to date, Ireland’s response has been largely aspirational: we have experienced great difficulty in achieving either political leadership or societal licence for the deep emissions cuts now required. Indeed, our projected emissions are currently expected to rise again, in line with economic “recovery”. A fundamentally new approach is desperately needed. This submission suggests that such a new approach is indeed possible, and has already been the subject of intensive academic study and analysis. While a variety of detailed models have been proposed, I focus here on one specific framework known as “Tradable Energy [Emissions] Quotas” or TEQs (pronounced “tex”). This combines two essential elements: a socially agreed, enforced, and declining cap on the available national emissions in the target sectors; and an allocation of this now visibly scarce national “resource” to all citizens on an open, transparent and equitable basis. All further, detailed, responses can then be ultimately delegated to citizens: citizens are empowered to choose for themselves how to best manage their activities within their available or affordable allocations. We need decisive, committed, political leadership: but those leaders need real tools that will be effective, while still allowing citizens genuine freedom and control of how they live their lives through and beyond this unprecedented societal transformation. The TEQs system addresses exactly these goals: but it needs some country to now take the bold step of demonstrating its successful operation. Ireland, by virtue of its size, its young population, its technological infrastructure and expertise, and its severe difficulties to date in achieving effective emission reductions, is uniquely well placed to take this leadership role. I commend it to the consideration of the Assembly.