Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I accept the points made by the Taoiseach about Cabinet confidentiality. Does the Taoiseach accept that three meetings since the last general election of a committee charged with dealing with the vital issue of climate change is hardly an impressive record? I suggest the sub-committee has been remarkably ineffective. I am sure the Taoiseach is aware regarding the Government's climate change strategy that fewer than half the targets of 2007 were met. The overshoot of the Kyoto target is now almost 100%.

Is the Taoiseach not ashamed that despite the rhetoric, nothing has worked to ensure there is a real change as a result of a pressing challenge facing the world? Does the Taoiseach accept responsibility because, unlike other key heads of Government, he has been remarkably silent on the issue of climate change, which has added to lethargy in tackling an enormously important political issue?

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