Fiona O'Malley (Dún Laoghaire, Progressive Democrats)

I would be grateful if the Deputy did not interrupt me.

We must be clear about what is our objective in dealing with the Green Paper. We must agree that what the country and globe face is the question of how we will deal with climate change. We have issues at national level. The Green Paper points to the three pillars, namely, security of supply, environmental stability and economic competitiveness, of which we must be extremely cognisant nationally. Unfortunately, owing to international geopolitical circumstances our security of supply has been put under an increasingly tremendous strain. In our isolated position at the end of a gas pipeline through Europe, we must be determined to diminish our dependency on gas imports. The best way to do this is through the opportunities provided by renewable energy industries.

I welcome the high target proposed in the Green Paper. It is good to have ambitious targets because at least if one falls short, one still falls high. As the Minister stated last Sunday week when he launched the proposal, the target will be well superseded by the time we get there. Perhaps it was the Taoiseach who stated that but that is the type of thinking we need in the energy debate. One thing for certain is that we cannot continue with the way we deal with the energy crisis and the energy market in Ireland.

The possibilities are endless. I see major opportunities for Ireland in renewable energy industries such as onshore and offshore wave energy production. While offshore energy supplies may not be economic, we must think and plan for the future. That is what is important about the Green Paper on energy which will be formulated into a strong and coherent policy paper. Most parties in the House agree on what we must do for the country and how we will get there. It is incumbent on us as political leaders who care about this issue to come together and agree the basis on which Ireland must secure its energy future, particularly in terms of our competitiveness.

This month we saw high increases in energy costs, not only for domestic users but also for industrial users. We heard at the committee last week how detrimental high energy costs were to businesses here, something we must recognise because we cannot continue with these increases. We must arrive at a solution that will allow for smaller increases in energy costs.

I attended a debate last night in Trinity College on energy and the question was asked how we could get the public to engage with the process. From my experience canvassing in Dún Laoghaire people are beginning to ask about energy, even if only because of the bills they are getting. They realise that we must change our ways. The campaign launched by the Minister last week points to how we can make a difference individually.

The two month timeframe for the Green Paper provides ample opportunity for discussion, particularly for schools. I hope there is a programme for them to debate this issue. As we know from recycling, children are the ones who drive families to recycle. They have learned the value of such activity in school and know about the climate and nature. This provides a terrific opportunity to find people who will be great advocates for energy efficiency in the future. We must try to ensure greater efficiency in appliances, buildings and consumption. The Power of One campaign deals with our consumption, asking all of us how we use energy in our own homes and if it would be more appropriate for us to walk, cycle or use public transport.

The Government also has a responsibility to address this issue through the building regulations in the built environment where a huge proportion of energy is consumed. We must design buildings correctly. Public buildings should lead the way. I was in a school in Ballybrack two weeks ago where the product used for making the roof was very efficient 30 years ago but is not now. The principal is worried sick about energy costs. We must have a way to introduce fiscal incentives which will provide for public schools to achieve energy efficient buildings. All schools are constantly holding fund raisers in order that they do not need to see heat being lost straight through the roof. In the new built environment regulations must be much more stringent. It is in all of our interests to keep consumption down to help meet our Kyoto Protocol obligations on CO2.

Legislation prohibits nuclear power but there should not be such constant negative prohibitions. Life is fluid and nuclear power is used through the interconnector, as we must acknowledge. It is thanks to the strong nuclear industry in France and the rest of Europe that sufficient gas supplies can still enter the market when it is somewhat constrained. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources will have a debate on nuclear energy. Since we launched our report earlier this year, the whole nuclear industry has been discussed in a calm manner, which is welcome. Many Green Party leaders in Europe are now looking at nuclear power in a different way because it is seen as clean energy. We must not have such a negative stance. As Deputy Eamon Ryan said at the committee, we should look at the science and the economics and make a decision based on these factors, not on populism.

I welcome the ministerial taskforce on bioenergy. It is a huge area with enormous potential, particularly for rural areas. We could harness a lot energy. I have met many people who have benefitted from the fiscal measures in previous budgets. They want the market to be opened up, something I want to see because people have responded to it. When the Government introduced measures in last year's budget for grants for wood pellet and other heating systems, domestic users were very enthusiastic. We must encourage people to be as efficient as possible.

It shows great maturity on the part of both Government parties that after nine years of marriage and intimacy, we can have a difference of opinion on the future of the ESB. I read the Deloitte & Touche report with great interest. While I reserve judgment and accept what the Minister says, there is an argument to be made on the future of the ESB. We must build efficiencies.

I welcome the Green Paper and look forward to the White Paper that will come from it.

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