Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegation for their presentations. They have crystalised for me the fact that we are coming from very different places. Their focus is on keeping their people alive, while ours is on trying to keep our businesses going. They have been clear and articulate in their arguments and it is important that we take cognisance of them. Approximately 800 million people around the world are struggling to put food and water on their tables. That is appalling. Even though we are a small country we have to play our part in the European Union's efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The bigger players present a challenge, as other speakers have noted, but if we are steadfast we will lead by example. The various sectors have become more open to the argument that they will benefit in the long term from investing in this area. I refer to the agriculture, transport and energy sectors, all of which face significant challenges in doing their jobs more efficiently.

Education of our young people through, for example, the green schools programme has been very effective. If each of us makes a difference we will experience the benefits.