Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)

Cuireann sé áthas orm go bhfuil an Teachta Brian Cowen tofa mar Thaoiseach. Ba mhaith liom mo chomhghairdeas a ghabháil leis an dTaoiseach, a chlann agus muintir Uíbh Fháilí ar an ócáid stairiúil seo.

Those of us in the Green Party got to know the Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen, as a tough-as-old-boots negotiator when we hammered out a programme for Government last May and June. It is not easy make a deal with him. It took 12 days to do so and at times it was touch and go. Thus far, however, we have found the tough dealer to be a straight dealer who honours hard-won agreements. The Green Party has kept its word in government. We will continue to honour our commitments and we look forward to proceeding with our work. Painful though it is for Deputies Gilmore and Kenny and others in opposition to hear, it is far more satisfactory to be on this side of the House and in a position to implement one's party's policies. Instead of crafting good speeches and juicy media titbits, we are working well in government. The Green Party worked well with Deputy Bertie Ahern and I am confident we can do the same with the Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen.

Those on all sides attested earlier to the new Taoiseach's considerable ability and vast political experience. Cé gur fear óg é, tá mórchuid taithí aige mar pholaiteoir. Togadh é mar Theachta Dála don chéad uair i 1984. Chaith sé breis is deich mbliana mar Aire, sular chaith sé ceithre bhliain mar Aire Airgeadais. Is duine tuisceanach, oilte é, atá lán-dáiríre faoin pholaitíocht. Creidim go bhfuil sé réidh chun a sheacht ndícheall a dhéanamh ar son na tíre.

In addition to his vast experience, Deputy Cowen comes to the office of Taoiseach with impeccable political credentials. As already stated, this is a proud day for the people of Laois-Offaly and the midlands in general as they see one of their own take the most responsible political office in the land. As deputy leader of the Green Party — and also as a Deputy who represents a rural constituency, Carlow-Kilkenny, which is situated not far from the Taoiseach's native Offaly — I fully appreciate the importance of Deputy Cowen's election for his neighbours, the wider community and the surrounding region.

Today is a time for a certain pageantry and congratulations as we bid a final farewell to Deputy Bertie Ahern and offer a welcome to the new Taoiseach. I also wish to offer my congratulations to those newly appointed as Ministers.

In one way, Deputy Cowen comes to the office of Taoiseach at a blessed time. There is now every reason to hope that the people of Northern Ireland have entered a new era of peace and prosperity. As Ian Paisley stated yesterday, in his own inimitable way, there can be no turning back to the bad old days of violence. The problems of Northern Ireland have been a huge feature of the work of this House and of successive Governments for four decades. We will continue to discuss and focus on the North. Henceforth, however, we will concentrate on exciting economic and social developments as cross-Border co-operation deepens.

Deputy Cowen's election as Taoiseach also comes at a very challenging time economically for Ireland, particularly as things tighten in the global economy. This is a signal that we need to address the issues we face with even more urgency and vigour. As the price of the barrel of oil tops $120 and supplies of other fossil fuels are both outrageously expensive and frighteningly fickle, we need to realise that we must reduce our dependence on imported energy. We know we must reduce our wastage of scarce and expensive energy resources.

Earlier today, I read without great surprise that Irish people are spending far more to light and heat their homes and to cook meals than are their counterparts in other EU countries with far colder climates. Apart from anything else, it is clear we are facing massive rises in our energy bills which, unless we change our ways, we will increasingly struggle to meet.

Questions of energy security dovetail with the key environmental challenge we face, namely, addressing the effects of climate change. It is now the shared view of thousands of scientists across the globe that we are living on borrowed time. The Green Party is in government because Deputy Bertie Ahern recognised this stark reality. We are remaining in government because the Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen, takes the same view. Climate change threatens our very existence. Irish aid organisations such as Trócaire and Concern have indicated their deep fears regarding the devastation that has already been wrought upon the world's poorest and most vulnerable people. We have just one chance to tackle climate change and Ireland must play its part with the other developed nations of the world.

Whatever the Opposition's response, I am confident the parties in government will continue to work together in a spirit of trust, co-operation and compromise. My colleagues in government have found the Taoiseach to be a man of his word — once the deal is done he honours it. We found this to be the case when he held the pivotal job of Minister for Finance. In that position, he provided us with additional resources to allow us to pursue our work.

Members of the Green Party are the first to recognise that in the coming years we face a period where resources will be less widely available. We know that in more straitened times we must be more rigorous in identifying projects to be funded. In addition, we must be even more vigilant with regard to obtaining value for taxpayers' money. We also know that we must be more cognisant than ever of the needs of business in order to protect existing jobs and promote employment creation. We can best do this by continuing to be part of the coalition Government. The Green Party is ready to continue to play its part in shaping a sustainable future for everyone on this island.

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