Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I am very glad to have the opportunity to speak in this debate as today saw the first meeting of a new Oireachtas Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security. I welcome the establishment of the committee, of which I am a member. I note in the committee terms of reference that we are to consider the projected energy demand from transport and the implications for energy security and emissions targets, a very worthwhile aim.

The reality is that setting up a committee will not solve the problem we have regarding a fragmentation of responsibility within Government and how Ministers will co-ordinate efforts to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change while ensuring we do not run into deep difficulties relating to future energy requirements.

I will give an example. I tabled a priority question to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources relating to the carbon emissions from transport. That question was transferred, without consultation with me, to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is not responsible for energy but he is responsible for climate change. The Minister for Transport is not responsible for carbon emissions but he is responsible for transport.

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