Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

The protocol recognises that a given emissions reduction is equally beneficial in terms of combating climate change irrespective of where on the planet it is achieved. This flexibility in the protocol allows developed countries to accept ambitious targets for cutting emissions while, at the same time, providing vital assistance to developing countries and countries in transition. That is what the flexible mechanisms are all about. Their importance has been strongly endorsed by Kofi Annan, Sir Nicholas Stern and Yvo de Boer, the head of the UN climate change convention and the mechanism is being widely used through the European Union, particularly in the non-nuclear member states. The Opposition does not acknowledge that ten EU member states in the burden-sharing arrangement — Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain — will use the mechanisms and between them they will spend almost €3 billion over the five-year Kyoto Protocol period buying credits. Choosing to use the Kyoto Protocol mechanisms, rather than an act of irresponsibility, represents a sensible and balanced approach being followed by environmentally and economically responsible countries throughout Europe. Using the flexible mechanisms to buy credits must be part of the solution, but not the entire solution, and each country needs to find the most cost effective balance, which is exactly what Ireland has done.

A number of Opposition Members, who are absent, say we should go even further than we are required under our international obligations. The Opposition wants us to pass laws imposing even deeper cuts on Irish industry than on industry elsewhere.

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