Mr. Mark Griffin:

There is a suggestion in the Deputy's question that leadership is not being shown. I do not accept that. There has been a focus on what we are doing in the building, which is a minute element of what it is that the Department and the system are doing. If one looks at the national mitigation plan that was published during the year, we have listed 60 measures that are under way which will have a very significant impact on our emissions profile in the State. We have an emissions trading scheme in place. We have a carbon tax in place and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, has committed to reviewing it next year before the next budget is announced. We have renewable electricity support schemes. We have financial supports available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland which I have mentioned for energy efficiency improvements. There is a lot of investment in the social housing programme in energy efficiency upgrades. We support large industries with expert advice on what they can do on their own energy efficiency programmes. There is investment in public transport, a smarter travel initiative and a biofuels obligation scheme.

That is just what is under way. If one looks at what is planned, it includes a new renewable electricity support scheme, a new renewable heat incentive, smart metering, further incentives for low emission vehicles and further investment in public transport. There is an array of things that are happening right across the system. If I had a blank cheque, I would spend a lot more on climate action, but I do not. Like every Department, we have to compete for funding with health, justice, education and water services. We are comfortable that the strategic approach being taken to addressing this issue is sound. I mentioned the national mitigation plan. We are doing work in the national adaptation framework and expect to see a substantial and visible ramping up of activity to tackle climate action in the next couple of years.

The other thing I did not mention, one linked with the work of the Citizens' Assembly, is the fact that we have established a national dialogue on climate action to try to have engagement with the public to effect behavioural change across the State on the issue.