Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

—— and considering the weather, one must restate one's commitment to tackle climate change, given that it is pouring from the heavens outside.

The term "climate change" has become part of daily discourse. However, what are people saying when they use the term? In particular, how does it connect to them on a day-to-day level? One aspect to be feared is that people may consider tackling climate change to be the responsibility of the Government or international bodies such as the United Nations or the European Union, without perceiving a personal connection to the issue. Arising from this debate, I hope for a number of outcomes. The public should consider that dealing with climate change can be done simply, is not full of complications and is attainable. Part of the discourse suggests it is the greatest concern facing humanity. While that may be the case, it makes it sound like an inevitable disaster. However, the problem can be turned around. Members must show leadership to demonstrate that dealing with climate change is an attainable objective. This should be done by putting in place measurable goals for people regarding steps that can be taken at both local, national and international level. I refer to measurable steps that can be taken on a week-to-week basis in order that people can discern change in their own domestic and professional lives, as well as to the benefit of their communities and so on. This can be achieved by adopting consistent and repetitive approaches to one's daily life that individuals can control. Moreover, one should avoid disconnection or divorce on the part of people's engagement with the process. Ultimately, there should be a commitment modelled at both Government and individual level.

Before turning to the main body of my speech, I wish to preface my remarks by stating that in our anxiety to deal with climate change, a number of precautions must be taken. In this House last week, as a means to facilitate and encourage renewable energy systems, the Planning and Development Act was changed by the Minister to provide for a series of exemptions, whereby renewable energy sources will no longer be obliged to go through the standard planning regulations. While all Members may have a high regard for such energy systems, it should not be separated from what constitutes good planning practice. It constitutes bad planning practice, regardless of what the infrastructural development might be, to allow the construction of a development within a local community without putting in place a site notice or without advertisements in the local media. It is bad practice for a number of reasons. First, it denies local participation and public information. Second, if it goes wrong, it will undermine the entire concept of planning in respect of enforcement because a local community or housing estate that was unaware of a development that has been exempted under conditions will not know what such conditions are and what the extent of the development should be.

As Members move towards adopting more legislative approaches to dealing with climate change, I wish to put down a marker that they should not deregulate matters to such an extent that the baby is thrown out with the bath water. That is what happened in the House last week when a good idea was implemented extremely badly through secondary legislation. Consequently, the obvious anomalies and flaws in the measure were put through the House by the Minister and could not be dealt with or amended. While the Minister likes to invite ideas and suggestions from the other side of the House, unfortunately, neither ideas nor common sense are being accommodated when processes are put through the House by this method.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. As I noted, it requires urgent and decisive action within the next decade, a measurable period of time. This is a global problem that affects every individual and every local community. Ireland must make a significant contribution to finding the solution. I will summarise some of the areas in which Ireland will be affected by this issue. In agriculture, for example, we may be obliged to change from grass to maize to feed our livestock and there may be an increased requirement for irrigation in the eastern part of the island, in particular. A traditional staple product such as the potato may become unviable in a different climate.

Regarding water resources, we fear the likelihood of increased flood events in winter and pressure on water supplies and infrastructure during the drier summer months. Regarding forestry, there is the likelihood of an increase in harmful exotic pests and diseases because of a warmer temperature.

Regarding marine ecosystems, there is the likelihood of negative impacts on aquaculture from increased algae blooms, and infection rates and pests as mentioned. Other issues such as sea level rises and biodiversity will have to be examined on this island.

The international consensus on the need for radical action has been growing since the Kyoto Protocol was negotiated in 1997. The effects of radical climate change are already evident including the melting polar caps, unseasonable weather in many parts of the world, rising sea levels and increasingly stormy weather.

Ireland must play its part in the global effort to combat climate change. We had ten years to prepare for our first run of commitments under the Kyoto Protocol which commenced on 1 January this year. Despite that, we are set to overshoot our target by 7.2 million tonnes of CO2 a year for five years. The Government has sanctioned the purchase of 270 million worth of carbon credits from abroad to compensate for its failure to meet our domestic target. Carbon credits operate in a market and if the market increases, the cost could rise to as high as €750 million.

The latest projections from the Environmental Protection Agency indicate that in 2006, the total emissions decreased by 0.8%. That was supported by a large reduction of 4.6% in emissions from the electricity generation sector. That was accounted for in large part by adaptations made in the Moneypoint station and not through general usage throughout the country. Emissions from transport continue to add to overall emissions as do waste services, which advanced by 5.2% and 3.3%, respectively.

Despite that good performance in 2006, the European Environmental Agency has stated that based on past trends, Ireland is not on track to meet its target, even with the use of carbon sinks such as planting forests and so on. The Kyoto Protocol mechanisms as accounted for will require further domestic actions not currently in place or outlined.

Instead of regarding CO2 reduction as a cost to the economy to combat climate change, we should see it as an opportunity. Ireland is favourably situated to exploit the potential of wind and tide and to go from being a net importer of polluting fossils today to an exporter of clean, renewable energy within a few decades. That is a realisable and measurable target.

We have the expertise and the ability to become world leaders in ocean and tidal technology. Instead of standing idly by as Irish companies succeed abroad, we must ensure they are given every opportunity to succeed here and become leaders in this field.

In this year's budget €13.2 million was provided for energy research in the national development plan. That is clear evidence that renewable energy is not viewed as a matter of urgency requiring immediate action. Buying carbon credits is not a long-term solution but unfortunately it appears to be a mid-term approach by the Government.

Climate change is a global problem that can only be solved by collective action on the part of the international community, and also at a local level. The ability to make strategic foreign policy decisions at EU level will be vital in future climate change negotiations, particularly if the EU is to exploit its diplomatic and economic power to the full.

The Labour Party is committed to supporting a climate change protocol setting out what the EU would do to tackle climate change through the mechanisms it creates. That could also help to break the European deadlock and demonstrate the relevance of the EU and a strong, cohesive Union that can act in the global interest at a greater level on this global issue.

Ireland must take serious action now to meet the Kyoto commitments and to position ourselves for a medium to long-term economic climate where energy and environmental issues will dominate.

See this speech in context