Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fíorfáilte roimh Professor Peadar Kirby le haghaidh díospóireachta ar cheann de na hábhair is tábhachtaí sa domhain. This is one of the most important subjects we are debating. We have a major challenge and indeed the world has a major challenge and we recognise that. Some of the points I was going to raise have been mentioned already, including the limitations to which Deputy Humphreys referred. We will be grappling with the issue of targets, the footprint, mapping and how we do all of that.

Our decisions will have to be evidence-based and policy-based. I wish to draw the topic out a little. Professor Kirby stated that we need to disconnect the economic section of the Bill. Agricultural production amounts to 7% of our GDP. Realistically, we will not get rid of all the cows in Ireland overnight. As policymakers we are faced with ensuring we have realistic and achievable targets. We would all love to set idealistic targets but I want to get something else from this. I recognise Professor Kirby as an expert in the field. How can we set realistic achievable targets? I am unsure whether Professor Kirby used the word "disconnect" but we need to ensure there is employment in the economic sectors and that we continue to have farmers and so on. As politicians, we need to consider the seriousness of this and recognise what we need to do, but it must be based on evidence and on what is achievable. This is where Professor Kirby comes in. Could he, for example, recommend three things that should be done? He stated that every year we should set a target. The transport sector has been weak here in setting and achieving targets. The heat sector has been very weak as well. We must ensure we work on that sector.