John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

Deputy Tuffy is selective in quoting the comments of the director of the EPA at the launch because she went out of her way to thank me for the additional resources and staffing made available to the EPA. In regard to the Deputy's question of what can be done now, I have provided for record increases in the EPA's resources and staff complement at a time of major budgetary constraints. I did so because I wanted the best available data. The EPA has produced several excellent reports.

If I was to liken Ireland's environment to a student's report, I would say: "Not bad but could do a lot better". I have never underplayed the state of the environment or the challenges we face in meeting our Kyoto commitments. The EPA has projected that we are off target and has identified the agriculture and transport sectors in particular. I have outlined the initiatives I have taken in these sectors. I do not want to repeat myself because we can dwell too much on climate change.

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