Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

If we are to meet our international targets and reduce the need to purchase carbon credits, we not only need to set year-on-year targets but we must scope down to the actions that we need to deliver on those targets. Alternative energy is clearly one component but energy conservation can play an equally important role. We need to identify on a sector-by-sector basis many of the changes we need to make, which must be very practical.

For example, on my way to Leinster House this morning I listened to a caller to my local radio station who wanted to find out where she could buy energy saving bulbs for a particular type of light fitting, which constitutes approximately 50% of light fittings sold. People were being very helpful but there was only one specialist shop in the county where she could buy the bulbs. This is a practical issue. We are asking people to make individual changes but we are relying on the public to drive that agenda.

On the issue of transport, we must tackle the issue of car usage by delivering a flexible public transport system. We must also consider new ideas. Transport 21 is supposed to take the long view. However, with regard to train projects in my constituency, the Kildare route project which was originally supposed to go to Newbridge will now only go as far as Celbridge — very little of it is in Kildare although it is called the Kildare route project. Essentially, it will deliver a very good service to Celbridge but will not go beyond that to towns like Sallins or Newbridge where there has been huge population growth, with further growth projected. Kilcock is virtually a town under construction at present but there is just a single-track line between Maynooth and Kilcock. After Transport 21 has been provided, it will still be a single track. How is that considered strategic thinking?

The Dublin Bus review identified the need for 200 buses but just 100 were delivered. Some 15 of the buses were to go to west Dublin and north Kildare. They were delivered last December but they are still parked in the garage and will remain there until the autumn because of red tape. The 1932 licence issued to an operator means one cannot make a change on the corridor until that service is up and running.

Climate change will not wait. These are the practical measures we need to put in place. We need to reduce the amount of red tape and consider the issues on a practical basis.

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