Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Friday, 5 July 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht

Heads of Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2013: Discussion (Resumed)

12:05 pm

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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If I understand them correctly, the delegates are not in favour of the emissions trading scheme. Are they in favour of agriculture being included in the European emissions trading scheme? I take it from the replies given that they are not. It has been stated we are so sustainable that this needs to be seen on a Europe-wide basis, but at the same time what if the European Union does not see it that way? I do not think it does. We still have legally binding targets for 2020 which are at the low end of what we must ultimately deal with by 2050. I do not see how we can square the circle. If the European Union states we must meet our obligations within the targets set at country level, not at Europe-wide level, how will the circle be squared?