Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to respond to a number of the points made. In terms of SMEs, which were raised by Deputies Martin Kenny and Pringle, in the Government amendment we capture those companies that would be fracking. A fossil fuel company is defined as one which wholly or mainly engages in the exploration, extraction or refining of fossil fuels. Those companies are all covered. I wish to clarify that matter for the meeting.

I assure Deputy Eamon Ryan that sustainable green finance is a priority in the 2018 action plan. The number one priority I have for financial services is that we would make this country become the sustainable green hub not just for Europe but globally. That is the objective. Everything we are doing is to try to pivot in that direction and we believe that we can do that.

I do not propose to get into a conversation with the Deputy about the agriculture sector because I am a dairy farmer and he and I are not going to agree on that. The position is the position. I have been pretty much consistent on that. The largest expenditure in the Ireland 2040 plan is in the climate change sector and the decarbonisation of the economy. Deputy Eamon Ryan is incorrect in saying the Government is not doing enough. I accept we will not meet the 2020 targets but we will meet the targets for 2030.

To respond to Deputy Paul Murphy, of course gas is a fossil fuel. However, we cannot ignore the position. At EU level the transitional role of gas, in particular, and its importance in underpinning European energy security has been clearly set out in an EU strategy paper, "Policy Framework for Climate and Energy in the period 2020 to 2030". Regardless of whether I am pleased or displeased with it being a fossil fuel, it is a crucial element of the transition period in which we hope to move towards a much cleaner and more renewable sector for the future. That is the EU position. I do not know what the Shell position is, and I do not really care. However, I cannot ignore that we must try to ensure there are no unintended consequences to everything we do here. We also have to recognise that gas is crucial. We cannot ignore that.