Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

When coupled with the abolition of excise tax on the bio-fuel element, which is also proposed by Fine Gael, the transition to a more sustainable fuel will be painless for the consumer. The Minister for Finance might be interested to hear that in other countries where this has happened, the tax advantage has become unnecessary. This is because petrol supplies will diminish and become more expensive and bio-fuel will become established internationally.

What is important is to encourage public enthusiasm for the change. Carbon taxes may become essential in the future to limit the use of fossil fuels. Before we go down that road, however, we must first exploit all the potential incentives to change behaviour and encourage a move away from fossil fuel.

The Bill deliberately avoids prescribing a fixed percentage of bio-fuel blending. Initially, we anticipate the 5% bio-ethanol mix for petrol because this would require no change to the average car. Over time, however, it will rest with the Minister to increase this quantity in line perhaps with EU requirements, the development of the European and Irish markets for bio-fuel production and improvements in car technology. I hope the recent announcement by the Commission of recommendations on average car emissions will drive the development of the industry.

There are always gainsayers who oppose every suggested change from our old ways. For example, it has been stated that the capacity to produce bio-fuel in the quantities required for higher levels of blending just does not exist in Ireland or even, perhaps, in Europe. That may be the case in light of current technology. However, the position will change. Even if the capacity does not exist, it would be better to import bio-fuel that to import oil. I ignore the gainsayers who state that we cannot make changes of this kind.

There is huge public enthusiasm to limit our wasteful use of resources and to make the switch to using renewable energy sources. Improvements in our recycling rates came about simply as a result of providing people with facilities at which to recycle. The position is similar with Luas, which has been extremely successful and to which I am a convert. It is a myth that people love their cars. If they are given the opportunity to commute on a reliable and frequent public transport service, they will grab it. Luas is one example of this, as is Aircoach. If one offers members of the public frequency and convenience, they are quite willing to leave their cars at home.

Without doubt, the single biggest way to reduce CO2 emissions is to get the members of the commuting public in our cities out of their cars and on to public transport. At the same time, this would help reduce congestion. Rail-based solutions will come about in time but action is needed now. The only immediate action we can take in respect of public transport is to provide buses. Fine Gael strongly believes a competitive market best serves the public's interest. We are committed to increasing the choice available to the public by encouraging private sector interests to tender for new and existing routes in our cities. It is only with frequent and reliable services that we will tempt members of the public out of their cars. The emissions reduction brought about by people switching from cars to buses is enormous. An average bus carrying 60 people offers a scenario that is 12 times cleaner than one in which those 60 people drove their cars instead. Again, it is "no-brainer".

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