Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I was interested to hear about the Taoiseach's visit to China and I am glad to hear it was so successful. I am sure he will join me in extending best wishes to the Chinese people on their new year. Was the environmental impact of Chinese economic development raised in the Taoiseach's discussions with Chinese officials, particularly the mayor of Shanghai? For example, ten years ago 5% of transport means was car dependent while by 2015 it will be 50%. Apart from the congestion, respiratory illnesses and air pollution this will cause, greenhouse gas emissions will rise sevenfold. Did the Taoiseach discuss the degree to which China will become more dependent on sourcing oil from outside countries? While China's oil production rises 2% a year, demand rises 7% a year. China has a fiftieth of the world's oil reserves.

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