Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Is the Taoiseach aware of the considerable concern and unease among many environmental NGOs at the lack of progress being made in the draft constitution on sustainability? Did last month's decision to insert price stability in Article 1(3) take into account the predictions aired on "The News at One" today that oil will cost $50 a barrel in five to ten years? In the Taoiseach's discussions with colleagues from other member states, is there an awareness that that needs to be confronted, given our reliance on oil and the impossibility of maintaining price stability in that regard? Will he tell the House what has happened to the proposal from Commissioner Wallström on the protocol on sustainability? Has it been pursued or dropped from his discussions with other Heads of State?

In the Taoiseach's discussions with Russia at the EU-Russia summit, was progress made in persuading Russia to sign up to the Kyoto Protocol? It might be wise not to mention Ireland's record on this as it does not give a great example to the Russians.

As it is a concern of many people in this country, what does the Taoiseach feel about the statement of the French Prime Minister that qualified majority voting on taxation is still an open question, given his own views on that? Are his views representative of the EU view in general?

See this speech in context