Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Between 1990 and the past few years emissions in this country have grown by 23% but the economy grew by 150%. That trend is continuing and is reflected in the emissions intensity of the Irish economy. Emissions per unit of GDP were 48% of the 1990 level. The Deputy would like it to be lower and so would I but it is still a huge achievement. The equivalent figure for the European Union is 78%. We will meet our Kyoto Protocol target to keep emissions at 13% above 1990 levels by a combination of measures.

I was interested to hear the reports from other countries. Ireland and the UK, and business people involved in both countries, pointed out in some of the sessions what this country is doing. Ireland accounts for 2% of the world's emissions. A range of measures are being undertaken here and the Deputy supports that. We should continue doing everything we can but we also must try to keep pressure on other countries to play their part. The best way to do that is to do things ourselves, lead by example and try to reflect what is happening in other areas. If I had been there, I would have made those points.

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