Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

We would like to hear more about it. The Fine Gael stimulus plan would make a significant difference in terms of reducing this country's greenhouse gas output. As a response to the environmental and economic challenges we face, we have published a plan to transform the economy into a modern, sustainable and clean one. Our New Era strategy is the first major credible step in transforming the economy into a low carbon one and creating 100,000 jobs. The €11 billion investment programme off-balance sheet will see significant State intervention to rapidly provide more sustainable energy and transport sectors while bringing telecommunications into the 21st century. That radical transformation will dramatically reduce emissions from the energy and transport sectors.

Appendix 2 of the carbon budget statement makes clear that the Minister has ignored some of the proposals suggested to him on the matter. We import €6 billion worth of fossil fuels every year to feed our cars, homes and electricity grid. That is neither economically nor environmentally sustainable. The €6 billion of imported fossil fuel also represents 64.7% of all emissions in this country created from fossil fuel combustion. Some radical suggestions have been put forward by this party to assist him in meeting our national objectives. The Minister is setting up committees and he is one step away from making major decisions, yet he is tinkering around the edges of achieving our national objectives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Actions speak louder than words. The all-party committee chaired by my colleague, Deputy Barrett, has many suggestions to make to the Minister to assist him in meeting those objectives much more quickly than he has to date.

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