Mr. Duncan Stewart:

I agree with everything Deputy Murphy stated. By looking to 2050 and working back we can see what big changes need to be made. There are not only environmental benefits, but also economic benefits of making long-term decisions whereby we set targets between now and 2050. Ireland would have 2030 and 2040 targets and we could see the road we need to take. This would give certainty and confidence to business, farmers and everybody and open up opportunities. The downside at present is that we import 90% of our energy at a cost of €6.5 billion. We import twice the amount of fuel as the European average. We import €1,400 a year in oil, gas and coal and the European average is €700. The country is incredibly overdependent and it is draining our economy. The benefits of making this shift, setting these longer-term targets and giving confidence would include that business could look to it and start to invest.

I agree with taking a long-term view and bringing it back to 2020, so the Bill should have targets for 2020 as well as 2030 if not 2040. If we are to achieve an 80% to 95% reduction by 2050 and Irish greenhouse gases emissions are 1.5 times the European average, we have a problem. Even if agriculture throughout Europe is removed, we still have some of the highest emissions in Europe. We have above the European average in energy-related CO2 emissions. We are very dependent on fossil fuel; it is the source of 95% of our energy while only 5% comes from renewables. We have a long way to go. Massive opportunities exist because we have great natural resources. If we take the logical step of having far more clarity in the Bill, which would look to the longer term benefits it can achieve, and at the same time put in place the structures which can deliver them, we will need interim targets every three years which will at least review the 2020 targets.

When it comes to who takes responsibility for this, my belief is it should sit with the Taoiseach. A Minister in a Department will not be able to decide for other Ministers. It is not just the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government which plays a big role in this issue. The transport sector is a very big greenhouse gas emitter so the Department with responsibility has a major role. Energy is related, so the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources also has a major role to play, as does the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Responsibility in the Bill should be given to the Taoiseach of the country at the time so there will be long-term responsibility to our citizens so their interests in the long term, and particularly our children's interests, are taken seriously. Many benefits would come from making the right decisions and setting the right framework for the climate action and low carbon development Bill. The economic opportunities, particularly at local level in rural Ireland, are massive, because the money gained from reducing fuel imports could be recirculated in the local economy towards energy efficiency.

A national retrofit strategy would play a part in this, as it could generate many jobs. Examining the bigger picture would present many opportunities. My addition to Mr. Healy's comments goes beyond the Deputy's question.