John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

The Deputy is correct that the European Union has made a tremendous difference and I am on record as saying that without it our environment would be in a far worse state. This is one reason the Lisbon treaty is so important, especially with regard to combatting climate change, though there are also other initiatives.

I have made this subject a priority and when I became Minister I sought to examine all of the infringement proceedings. On looking at the large pile I inherited on my desk I made a point of visiting Commissioner Dimas. I have spoken to him and his officials on a number of occasions and I have made it clear that I am completely committed to dealing with these complex and difficult issues. The issues are difficult because we require extra resources. I succeeded in getting extra resources for the Environmental Protection Agency, which received a budget increase of 43%, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, which received a budget increase of 37%.

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