Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Thankfully the Government introduced a significant grant scheme and I am delighted to inform the Deputy that well over 11,000 people have applied for that grant. The Government introduced it because we do not believe in gestures but rather in delivery regarding these issues. In the recent budget we introduced corporation tax relief for investment in renewable energy and it is being extended for five years. The list goes on.

The Government is moving on the issue of climate change but there is a balance to be struck. People such as Deputy Gormley should acknowledge that we find it gravely difficult to adhere to some of these targets because we have one of the most successful economies in the world. Every time we have year on year growth rates of 6% and 7% it becomes more difficult for us to meet those targets.

The Government is very willing to engage on this issue as it goes to the core of our policies. Yesterday we had a Cabinet committee meeting on the issue of new targets for climate change and this will continue.

I do not subscribe to the types of view expressed in an amazing quote that I was given, made by Mary White, deputy leader of the Green Party.

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