Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

Having been mentioned on a few occasions by Opposition Members during the Order of Business, which is unusual, I was planning on keeping a low profile for the rest of the day. However, I am anxious to contribute to this debate, albeit briefly, because it is important to do so.

Deputy Feighan made a point I was to make in that he stated it was a question of what each individual could do to combat climate change. It is well and good to discuss the responsibility of governments but it is ultimately up to individuals to take responsibility and make a contribution, however small.

This morning I read that climate change was already proving to be a defining issue of the 21st century. There is no doubt about this. It is important to have this debate, as Deputy Feighan stated. Years ago we believed climate change and saving the world were issues that fringe groups worried about and tried to address. However, it is important that we understand we all have an impact. When I rose this morning and went for a walk, I noted it was almost like a winter's day. One wonders whether the world is changing.

I remember my maternal grandmother who is dead 42 years but whom I remember very well telling me when I was quite young that she always had worried about the world after the Russians had launched the Sputnik spacecraft. She never believed the weather would be right again. It could well be that her generation held this view. It could have been correct because during my lifetime it has been interesting to see how the world environment has changed and how climate change has become very much part of the agenda. It could well be that it has become a political issue 40 or 50 years later than it should have. There have been many contributing factors, including energy demands. We should regard climate change as an issue which poses a challenge for us all. It is important to debate it to get the message across to the public. I am not saying it does not care but that the public, in all countries, understands the political issues of the day and the challenges it faces.

I am not so sure we all take the state of the world sufficiently seriously. Suddenly the worldwide phenomenon of climate change is clear to us all. It is certainly true that in Ireland, in all constituencies, the environment and climate change are being ascribed greater importance. We always make a point about education and awareness campaigns and I am glad the national climate change strategy is taking account of this. There is a very important message to be circulated to all of us, especially young people. Without putting pressure on schools or teachers, I hope the message is receiving considerable attention. Damaging one's own environment, rambling along the streets and dropping litter and defacing walls with graffiti are all sins against the environment and the climate. It is very important that we understand the challenges that arise in this regard.

Climate change will prove to be the greatest challenge to face humanity this century. Clearly, it is profound in its implications for the planet and all of us who live on it. It cuts to the core of modern living and commerce in the 21st century. There are those who believe the solution is obvious. Clearly, reducing greenhouse gas emissions sufficiently quickly to avoid the worst aspects of climate change will be emphasised by many. We all have, or should have, a personal interest in meeting this objective. We have a responsibility to play our small part in whatever way we decide we can. Clearly, the onus is very much on governments, businesses and individuals.

Colleagues have referred to how we might address the problem of climate change. There are many ways of doing so in our communities, including the protection of the environment locally. Reference was made to insulating one's own home and ensuring green bins are more full than black bins.

Deputy Ring referred to all the reports Members received. Not a day goes by without my receiving tonnes of material, glossy magazines and brochures with pictures of various people at my home and offices in Tallaght and the Dáil. One wonders where we are going in this regard. While I was a slow developer in working with computers and websites, undoubtedly, if it is possible to create a paper free environment in respect of Members' work, it is important to do so.

I also have long believed one can make a contribution by keeping out of one's car as much as possible. It is not always completely possible and although I live only eight miles from Leinster House, sometimes it is necessary to use my car for various reasons such as bringing back good news leaflets or visiting different parts of my constituency. However, I try, in so far as possible, to use public transport and use both buses and the Luas. As I have mentioned in the House previously, I experienced a health challenge approximately nine years ago when I had a serious heart attack, although thankfully, I am now fit and well. I have done much walking since, having taken advice from the cardiac rehabilitation unit in Tallaght Hospital about leaving one's car as far away from one's destination as possible. While it is not easy on a morning like this, simple initiatives such as getting across a positive health message also help the climate change agenda and all Members should make an effort to do so.

I have made reference to the initiative regarding the climate change awareness programme. I am glad that strategy provides for a multi-million euro public awareness campaign on climate change. I note the emphasis placed on the issue of climate change in An Agreed Programme for Government reinforced the necessity to put in place the resources necessary to effectively communicate this complex and far-reaching issue. The campaign has a number of aims. In addition to raising general public awareness of climate change and promoting behavioural changes to reduce emissions, it will include a strong partnership aspect to focus on stakeholders in specific sectors and work with them to develop specific programmes and initiatives tailored to achieve emission reductions in their sectors. Another important goal of the campaign will be to empower individuals and groups to play their part in tackling climate change. The campaign has been designed specifically to ensure it dovetails with related public sector awareness campaigns and initiatives such as the Power of One, One Small Step and the Race against Waste. Duplication of message and unnecessary overlaps will be avoided and every effort made to enhance the messages of existing campaigns and programmes.

I have listened to many of the contributions to this debate and, to an extent, all Members are reading from the same handbook. However, one must face the challenge raised by Members which also has been referred to in the Seanad of how to deal with waste and what methods are to be used. Deputy Tuffy referred to a proposal for an incinerator at Rathcoole which is close to my constituency and a town I represented on the county council from 1991 to 1999. This issue is important and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will be aware that people have concerns in this regard. At the same time, this must be balanced against the challenges under discussion in this debate. It will be interesting to see how such issues develop; how future Governments will deal with the question of waste management and what is to be done about waste and its reduction. Moreover, in respect of the residual waste that must be dealt with, how will this be done without damaging the environment?

The presence of Deputy Lynch as Acting Chairman reminds me of the debate this week on the Haulbowline site and I have much sympathy for those affected. I thank the Acting Chairman for her courtesy and appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this debate.

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