Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

Since 1990, when we first began talking about Kyoto, transport emissions have increased 165%, which is a massive growth. I know we have experienced economic growth in that time but cars and heavy duty vehicles are the biggest offenders in this regard. In 2006, the last year for which we have statistics, greenhouse gas emissions increased by 682,000 tonnes over the 2005 figure. The Minister's climate change strategy, which was proposed by the Green Party as the greatest thing since the sliced pan, will save 50,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. While I welcome that saving, it represents only one thirteenth of the reduction we need to achieve.

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