John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I congratulate the Tánaiste on the presentation of the budget. He has demonstrated a clear pathway forward for the sound financial management of the economy. He has taken a balanced and constructive approach to the challenges that lie ahead. I particularly welcome the strong defining theme in his Budget Statement highlighting the Government's environmental agenda. My party fully endorses the principles he has enunciated and we will work to deliver on compelling environmental polices side by side with maintaining growth and competitiveness in our economy.

The issue of climate change is the greatest challenge facing humanity over the coming century. Climate change is a challenge like no other. It is profound in its implications for the planet and its inhabitants. It also cuts to the core of modern living and commerce in the 21st century. The causes are known — human induced emissions of greenhouse gases. The solution is obvious — we must reduce these emissions and quickly enough to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. We all have a personal interest in succeeding in this objective. We all have a responsibility to play our part.

In global terms, Ireland's emissions may be relatively small but our scope to show leadership is enormous. Over the past 20 years, we have succeeded in becoming one of the world's most advanced countries, economically and technologically. Now, we need to draw on the resourcefulness, initiative and determination that brought us such success and apply it to the challenge of adapting to a low-carbon society. With our EU colleagues, we have been to the forefront in bringing the Kyoto Protocol into force and we will begin, next week, the task of persuading all the nations of the world to join us in a strong global agreement for the post-Kyoto period. Our efforts to secure global agreement on deep cuts in emissions must be backed up by a sufficient level of ambition at home. The programme for Government makes it clear that we are up for the challenge.

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