Mr. Gavin Harte:

The economy has experienced substantial shock. In fact, we are reeling as a consequence of several, largely external, factors which have impacted on us greatly. Climate change will follow a very similar story if we do not make ourselves indigenously resilient to the shocks coming down the line. The interesting aspect of climate change is that we can actually see these shocks before they hit. Our agriculture, industrial and residential sectors - the economy at large, in fact - will be under significant threat in 2030, 2050, 2060 and beyond.

In a way, whereas there will be a shock and business must adapt to it, respond and find competitive advantage, in a way we need to manage those shocks. The Bill should be seen as something other than a challenge. That comes back to leadership, which I cannot emphasise strongly enough, and political leadership is essential to the process. That is why parties such as the Labour Party, which I see as a progressive voice in Irish society, have a responsibility to show leadership on the issue.