Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 14:

In page 6, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following:“(a) include agreed targets of reductions in CO₂emissions through 2050,”.

It is getting to feel like Groundhog Day here. This amendment goes to the nub of our discussion.

If we do not have targets, we are simply talking about aspirations.

Let us assume I want to travel from here to Manorhamilton by 9 p.m. I know I would have to reach Mullingar, Longford and Carrick-on-Shannon by certain times. In other words, there are stages along the way to help me judge whether I will reach my destination by 9 p.m., but I cannot see such stages in the legislation. I cannot for the life of me see how we can evaluate whether we are doing well if there is an absence of stages and measurement techniques. We should not have a situation where we must wait for the European Union to whack us if we are doing badly and praise us if we are doing well. We need to know in order that we can fine-tune certain sectors. If we are not on top of the matter, by the time the European Union tells us it will be too late. Awareness is the kernel of the debate on this matter. It seems we agree in principle, but it is difficult to have the provision included in the legislation.