Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

We must not, however, be complacent about our economy's competitiveness. The housing market is slowing down, which is not helped by high interest rates that have to be endured by mortgage holders. The lure of foreign investment is being challenged by cheaper workforces to the east, in Europe and beyond. Now is the time to shift some of the emphasis and be alert to our competitiveness.

Fine Gael, in its motion, calls for Government action on inflation. There is no disputing that inflationary pressures such as rising energy prices are placing strain on the economy. However, Green Party influence in government will ensure a decrease in energy costs. The realisation of climate change and the increasing realisation that peak oil is imminent have brought about the beginning of a change in attitude to energy supply.

Never has there been a greater opportunity for us to become somewhat self-sufficient in energy supply.

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