John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I am glad the Opposition finds this so funny.

Declining energy and resource availability, together with climate change and biodiversity loss, constitute a radical challenge to the basis of our economic system, a challenge which the Green Party came into existence to address.

We must be solvent both financially and ecologically. It will not be easy but we must undergo a transition to a sustainable economy. Our taxation system, our regulatory systems and our public spending must all support this transition. That is why we are working to reform our planning system. It is why we are working on projects to deliver greener and cleaner energy from renewable sources. It is why we are working on a scheme of tax reform which will be broader and fairer to all.

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