Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Does the Tánaiste accept the widely-held view that the EU proposals will probably result in costing Ireland €1 billion per annum? How will this be done without very significant increases in the price of electricity and fuel? Is he proposing to contribute to the emissions trading scheme in order to buy our way out of this and that consumers and business will pay those costs? Where is the evidence that we will meet our renewables target of generating 16% through renewables in any serious way? It is all small pilot schemes. What is the Tánaiste's approach to this matter? It seems the Government and, in particular, the Tánaiste, took their eyes off the ball and did not make the point to Brussels that our calculation of GDP is heavily influenced by the fact that Ireland has so much American investment and profit repatriation and that our very welcome growth in GNP and in wealth is relatively recent. We will be clobbered because it will be based on wealth and on ability to pay. On the other hand, eastern European countries in the EU which have heavily polluting industries left over from the old Soviet era will be dealt with much more favourably than Ireland. Will the Tánaiste be wearing the Irish jersey when he goes to Brussels to look for a better deal for Irish consumers and businesses? We are all in favour of reducing our carbon footprint and not being "Bigfoots", but we need to do it in a way that takes into account the realities of this island and what has not happened on climate change measures here.

See this speech in context