Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I appreciate the information the Minister has given but it is historical. What I am trying to assess is the difference he will make in terms of 2008. The Green Party went into Government to make a difference. The Minister has listed what has happened until now but he does not tell us what will be different from now on. When I put the question to him this morning I was surprised he did not have an answer. What I want to know is the target for the Minister's area of responsibility for 2008 and how he intends to achieve it?

I wish to make a seasonal point. Why, during the Minister's term of office, has Eirgrid informed us that Christmas lighting is increasing electricity usage by 2%, which is a very significant amount. We have seen the excess amount of lighting around. At a time when that is happening the Government, through the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, handed out over €100,000 for Christmas lighting in Irish.

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