Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

I do not believe any country in the world is defined by and associated with a colour as Ireland, the Emerald Isle, is. The understanding of the word green has developed in recent years and people believe that Ireland should have a clean, green environment, rather than merely use the term as a marketing ploy.

Ireland has exported a great deal of its population around the world and they have been highly successful in building other countries and resolving problems in those places. I do not believe for a moment that this genius is no longer available in this country. The €20 million set aside for carbon credits is the lazy way out and we can do much better. I listened to the Minister's speech and felt he came across as very enthusiastic when describing sound environmental investment, the problem is it is to be found elsewhere. We want that investment to be made in Ireland so carbon credits need not be used as an escape route from our responsibilities.

Most people do not realise we are buying our way out of this problem rather than dealing with it locally in a structured, strategic way by accelerating delivery of the public transport programme and addressing energy waste through building regulations. This is the lazy way out and the public is way ahead on this issue. The Minister may dispute the European Commission's exact comments but they were not favourable and must not be ignored.

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