John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I thank Deputies for their contributions, in particular, Deputy Phil Hogan for his good wishes for Copenhagen. I will be joined there by some of his colleagues, including Deputy Coveney. I share the regret of others that we have not had more time for this debate. The carbon budget should be a central issue and should involve as many Ministers as possible. Ironically, because of Copenhagen, it was not possible to leave our debate on the carbon budget until a week later as originally planned. However, I hope that we will have a debate on a carbon budge in the context of the forthcoming climate change Bill. With regard to what Deputy McManus said, I continue to push for a carbon budget because I believe it is as important as the ordinary budget and will become even more important in the years to come.

Deputy Coveney spoke about, to use his own words, his own embarrassment about the recent debate on this issue. I do not doubt his bona fides with regard to the matter, but he and those in the Labour Party should look at some of the statements made by some of their own party members. I do not believe people on the back benches share their views on climate change.

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