Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Thank you, Chairman. I apologise for missing the start of the meeting. Unfortunately, I had a clashing event to attend. I am not convinced there is a groundswell of support to tackle climate change such as Mr. Clarken described. Those of us who have for several years been giving the leadership he referred to find ourselves facing assassination from all sides. I have to attend a public meeting tomorrow night to explain why I am supporting wind energy and other initiatives. There is a lot of money being spent to ensure I am convinced otherwise. However, I remain committed to recognising the need to respond to climate change and was formerly a party spokesman in that area.

Agriculture in this country represents a major part of the economy and was instrumental in the economic recovery we experienced in the past four or five years. Without it, as well as the pharmaceutical and IT sectors, we would not be where we are now. It is 90% indigenous - that is, generated locally and 85% export-led. In other words, a minimum of 85% of all the agricultural produce made here is exported. It is a huge part of our economy and it must be protected. There is a variety of ways to do that, including via alternative energy. I am not and never was in favour of nuclear energy. There are dangers to it, as we saw not too long ago with the Fukushima event.

When it comes to road transport, we cannot change the amount of fuel used and, consequently, the amount of carbon. We are not going to run big trucks electronically; that is not going to happen. It is a question of weaving a path between the needs of agriculture and road transport, on the one hand, and the carbon penalty regulations on the other. We are in trouble if we do not find a way to do that. It is all very fine to say Ireland should lead the charge and make the sacrifices. Certainly, we are committed to meeting our targets and are doing our best in that regard. I do not know whether we will meet them, but we should be very careful not to sabotage our own industries in the course of our efforts. I do not agree, moreover, that every country in the world is pulling its weight in this area. China has come on board in recent times, but in terms of the totality of the problem it has to deal with, there is a long way to go yet.

A number of options have been put forward as alternatives to carbon fuels, one of which is hydroelectric energy. The Turlough Hill idea is a feasible one that could be merged with wind to replace what we have. The Moneypoint generator produces 1,000 MW and is the largest single contributor to the national grid. If we take that out and replace it with something else, then we have a serious void in terms of reliable energy production. We can replace it with biomass but for that we need 1 million acres to grow the food for the biomass, which would have to come from land currently used to produce food for human consumption. That creates its own problems, particularly in places such as Latin America.

I spoke with a guy about solar power. I am finishing on this, Chairman, but this subject is of particular importance to me.