Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I did not expect to hear about travel arrangements. Regarding the cost of political advisers, does the Taoiseach feel he is getting value for money? Should the type of adviser and the advice sought and given be examined? We have raised this issue previously, especially in regard to the responsibilities of Ministers of State, and Sustainable Energy Ireland raised related matters today. Regarding global heating, or climate change — there are many different terms now for the phenomenon — does the Government have an equivalent to the British Government's chief scientific adviser, Professor Sir David King? If so, will the Government act on the advice it will probably receive, given that we have re-coupled CO2 emissions with growing energy use and expect transport related energy to increase by over 8% every year for the foreseeable future? Is the Taoiseach receiving advice on climate change and is this advice coming from advisers or elsewhere?

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