Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I am disappointed the Minister has not accepted my amendment. That means we are either going to increase our emissions beyond the 25% or 26% above current levels or the Minister has no confidence in his own carbon reduction measures. If he had confidence in them, and we are not going to increase beyond 25% or 26%, then 3.6 million units is the limit of the amount we would be required to buy.

The amendment has succeeded in flushing out the real Government position, which is that we are going to increase our emissions. The Government will preside over continued pollution and the taxpayer will pay for it. That is the position of the Government. I am disappointed with it because, economically, it is unsound and it is environmentally irresponsible.

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