Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)

I am happy to speak this evening on the importance of sustained and increased infrastructural investment in the green economy. Speakers from all sides of the House mentioned the great economic potential for this country from tapping into the environmental services and goods markets, and they are right. I heard Deputy Ferris speak last night about what he terms cheap talk from the Government about the green economy and of cuts running deep. He is wrong. This Government is investing more in green infrastructural spend than any previous Government has done.

When this Government was formed, we expected €100 million to be spent over five years on the delivery of energy efficiency in housing stock; this year alone €93 million will be spent on such schemes as the home energy saving scheme, the warmer homes schemes and a scheme for social housing. There is also the rolling out of the smart meters programme, which will see between 6,000 and 8,000 houses receive smart meters in the initial pilot project so people can increase energy efficiency, save money and lower their bills. The Government is providing funding for research into renewable energy such as the €26 million ocean energy initiative and the extension of Science Foundation Ireland's remit to include sustainable energy and energy-efficient technologies.

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