Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

The Taoiseach is the personification of a flexible mechanism but we need firm mechanisms. He is correct that we face a challenge. Why was he not present at the launch of the document, given the serious repercussions it has for the country? He sent along his royal smugness, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, who does not carry the weight the strategy deserves. As this is a cross-departmental matter, the Taoiseach should have been present at the launch to let it be known that it would affect every Department. He had no problem leading from the front on the second referendum on the Nice treaty. I challenge the view that it does not have the same importance. Unless we achieve annual reductions in carbon emissions of 3%, we will not achieve the objective. The strategy does not have a commitment to a targeted annual reduction. The Green Party has worked out that, under this plan, the total reduction in emissions after four years will be 3%. That is not up to the mark.

The business as usual approach proposed by the Government will have a cost. For example, carbon trading will cost far more than the figure of €270 million cited by the Taoiseach. It will also have a cost in terms of flooding and it is having an enormous cost in terms of water contamination in Galway. The poor will be hit hardest internationally, resulting in increased immigration as many people ask why they should not come here given that Ireland will not be as badly affected by climate change as their home countries.

Britain has introduced a carbon budget system under which it will be able to measure its achievements annually, while Governor Schwarzenegger in California has established a strategy in law. Rather than dealing in fiction by engaging in spin in advance of an election, will the Taoiseach not accept best international advice and establish a climate change targets Bill? I ask him to use the Bill published by the Green Party as a template.

See this speech in context