Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wholeheartedly welcome our guests. This is probably one of the most important discussions any country can and will have because we are all bound by this. As Sorley McCaughey said, quoting Baden Powell, if we can leave this world a little better than it was when we came into it, that should be our aim. I hope, as politicians, we have that aim too. All politicians have it at heart. They would not be in politics otherwise because for everything one gets out of politics, one must put an awful lot back in. That is definitely my aim and I hope we will be able to do this with the climate change measures we are taking. Setting targets is one way to do this, with making sure they are legally binding, a matter which will be up for discussion at this committee. Deputy Coffey has pointed out that there are ways to do things.

Doing A may have a knock-on effect on B. There must be a better way than the old way, however.

In Ireland we are at present having a debate on renewable energy as a replacement for fossil fuel. One of the major greenhouse gases is carbon dioxide produced from fossil fuels which the people of the country consume. We must get acceptance for wind and other forms of energy. There are always naysayers when new projects are proposed. Education plays a role in this regard. It is important that we outline in detail the measures and their impacts on the country and reducing fossil fuel consumption. Targets are valuable but other measures can also be implemented to help us reach these targets.

Agriculture is an important aspect of our community. How do we change the farming way of life? Farmers are increasing production, which will mean increased production of methane and nitrous oxide. We cannot stop cows from producing methane but the scientific community could help us to find ways of reducing their output. All of us have committed to reaching the targets agreed under the Kyoto protocol but we are now aiming to go beyond these targets and lead by example in the six months of our Presidency of the Council of the European Union. We should put our heads together to play our part in this committee and strengthen global action on the outer horizon. Ireland may be a small country but even a small country can make a difference. What will make a big difference, however, is strengthening action on the global stage. It is great to set targets in Ireland but what about America, China and India? We have to bring the globe with us.

I am playing a small part in these efforts in that I was sent to Europe by this committee for discussions on renewable energy. I am helping to organise a conference in Dublin Castle on 20 and 21 June on renewable and sustainable energy. We need to debate these issues. MEPs from all over Europe will be attending that conference. Producers and investors need certainty if they are to continue investing in wind energy. We will investigate the approach being taken in Scotland on wave energy because we do not want that country to steal the rug from under our feet. We want to be at the races when it comes to renewable energy.

I am the spokesperson on these matters in the Seanad - it is still there - and we consider legislation and our amendments are sometimes accepted. All of us will play our part to bring about change. It is easy as a politician to say we are going to do this, that or the other.