Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms de Barra for her presentation and for taking the time to come to this meeting today. Ms de Barra mentioned earlier that roadmaps should be developed every three to five years. Is there a particular reason targets should be set every three years? I understand the Government proposal in this regard is seven years. The Bill I produced proposed the setting of five year targets.

On the effects of climate change in Ireland, I have referred on many occasions in the Dáil to the presence during the past couple of years, in particular in June, July and August, of water in the drills of cornfields in Kildare, which is the driest part of the country. If anyone needs convincing on the issue of climate change the sight of corn lying under water during those months would do it. There is still very significant resistance to addressing climate change. There is much denial around this issue, including the constant argument that because Ireland is a food producing country, it does not have to play any part in it.

How will we try to win that awareness campaign?

There is also the media issue. The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill had received good coverage before it was even published when the heads were discussed in the Seanad Chamber. We might as well have this meeting in a bunker in south Armagh because the details will probably never get outside the walls of this place.