Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)

The explanatory memorandum of the Bill states that it seeks to introduce legislation to ensure we achieve the annual pro-rata reduction in domestic greenhouse gas emissions that are necessary internationally for the average increase in global temperatures to be maintained at less than two degrees. That is a reasonable aspiration and I was surprised to hear that the Minister expressed his grave disappointment at the contributions from this side of the House. Everyone on this side of the House is disappointed with the Minister's response to the Bill. However, we are not surprised because that is the normal thing that happens here. Blessed are those who do not seek justice, for they shall not be disappointed.

We are all agreed that climate change is happening, yet the Minister stated in his speech:

This Bill aims at committing Ireland in law to quantified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions above and beyond existing commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. The Bill also seeks to commit this country to establishing targets for the percentage of our total primary energy requirement to be provided by renewable energy supply. Relevant Ministers would be required to report annually to the Oireachtas on progress towards achieving these targets.

It is very reasonable that we should try to achieve that, but later he went on to state that the Government has decided to oppose the Bill on the basis it is inappropriate to propose targets which have not yet been adopted by international agreement. What is wrong with putting down targets? Why not let Ireland lead the way in putting down targets for the rest of Europe to follow? I cannot see how the Government claims that it must oppose the Bill because it sets targets we have not yet been asked to set.

I thank the Green Party for bringing forward this Bill and we will support it at this stage. The Green Party has been to the forefront in promoting this and other environmental issues in the House. When faced with a Government that has such scant regard for the environment, it is a good job that a party highlights these issues. Fine Gael has made an issue of global warming and it will be one of our priorities in the next general election. Alternative energy is not just an environmental distraction, but is also an economic imperative. At our recent conference in Millstreet, we unveiled a series of policies that we believe will make an impact in the country's attempt to meet its international environmental commitments. In responding to the debate tomorrow, perhaps the Minister might commit to one or two of those policies. We would help farmers to enter the bio-crop market by providing established grants for producer groups that would contribute up to 50% of the cost of setting such groups, subject to a maximum of €300,000 per group.

We would boost production of biofuels through a public competition for the establishment and operation of a number of biofuel processing plants strategically located in a selected number of locations. We would create a market for biofuels by legislating for all motor fuels to include a blend of fuel from renewable sources. All petrol sold at filling stations would include a 5% biofuel mix and all diesel fuel would contain a 2% biodiesel mix. We would reduce emissions from vehicles by establishing a system of energy efficiency labelling for vehicles. Those vehicles awarded a higher rating would be rewarded with a reduced rate of VRT.

See this speech in context