Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I am not convinced by the Taoiseach's reply. He mentioned decoupling of economic growth. As was stated before, a decreasing rate of increase is not a decrease. Let us be clear. As was already stated, a 7% increase per annum in transport emissions is unsustainable and goes in the wrong direction. Does the Taoiseach accept this?

Does he accept a need for annual targets which he can live by which means 3.5%? If we are to reach a 40% cut which is what we are discussing overall when the European figure is in place we will need a 3.5% cut per annum. Currently, we are going the wrong way. We are going over2%. The Taoiseach mentioned leadership from the European Union. The United Nations states the EU is becoming complacent in comparison with the US and Asia.

New Zealand is a country not unlike our own. It is non-nuclear, of similar size and with a large Irish population. The Prime Minister, Helen Clark, stated New Zealand will become the world's first carbon neutral country. The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development welcomed it as a sea change in the way the country will handle climate change and protect its trading position for long-term success.

A great deal rests on what the Taoiseach decides. I ask him again to be absolutely clear that the message he gives to everybody in society is that he will be intent on cutting our emissions by 3.5% per annum. That will at least comply with the minimal rate which the EU set. It is not world leading but at least it is a start. Will the Taoiseach undertake to bring this about?

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