Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I am a member of the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security and usually there is not one line Minister with which the committee deals. It is quite clear that when it comes to a global agreement, following on Bali, it will be Heads of Government who will reach such an agreement. The Taoiseach is chairman of the Cabinet sub-committee on climate change. If, as I wish, the joint committee invited the Taoiseach to come before it to discuss the issue of climate change, would he be willing to accept that invitation? It seems that unless we have leadership from the top on this defining issue of our generation, as it has been described by all and sundry, we will not reach the targets that are being set.

See this speech in context