Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

There is an all-party joint Oireachtas committee which has managed to do its business on an all-party basis without rancour. There is no political game in this debate. This is a serious issue that people outside are now beginning to take somewhat seriously because of the ongoing flooding in this country from year to year.

Would the Taoiseach kindly arrange that some of tomorrow morning's business be held over for a couple of hours to continue this debate on climate change? It is a reasonable request. There are no votes involved. It is simply an opportunity for Members to express a view and to adopt a combined approach so that the Minister, and the Taoiseach if he goes to Copenhagen, can go with backing from the Dáil and from the Seanad, which, I hope, will also hold a debate.

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