John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I would like to correct the misleading statement made by the Deputy that we are relying on the recession. I said no such thing. What we are relying on is Government action. We have said over and over again that the climate change strategy will be implemented and have taken the necessary steps to achieve that, through the creation of the Cabinet climate change committee and the Oireachtas committee which is chaired by a member of the Fine Gael Party. These will oversee the changes we are making and ensure that we make the necessary changes. I hope Members will support those changes, some of which may be perceived to be unpalatable.

Some fiscal instruments are required and the taxation commission is looking at putting a price on carbon. This is necessary, as are the other changes we have introduced on building regulations and the changes that allow people opt for low-emission vehicles. Furthermore, there will be new changes relating to more sustainable methods of travel. The sustainable transport action plan was launched today.

These combined changes will mean that we will reduce our emissions. The Deputy will be aware that we have, for the first time, reduced our emissions by approximately 1%. I am confident that these combined measures will mean we will comply with our targets for the Kyoto period, 2008 to 2012. The much more onerous target comes beyond that, the post-Kyoto period. That is the period when it will be much more difficult to comply with our targets.

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