Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

First, I welcome the opportunity to speak on this subject. It is appropriate to do so on a day when Members have been debating a Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, in which much emphasis has been placed on flooding. As this is deemed to be a symptom of climate change, it highlights the importance of this discussion. In addition, today saw the launch of the report, Meeting Ireland's Electricity Needs post-2020. I understand a report on greening the economy was published this morning also. This issue must be considered in the context of something which must be done but which also presents opportunities. After oil became a required energy source and when people in the Gulf states found they had oodles of it, they capitalised on it. On its own, the report launched today on meeting Ireland's electricity needs highlights the country's potential, given its 140,000 square miles of ocean and water. This resource has great potential in the fields of ocean, wind, wave and tidal energy. However, although much research on that capacity and potential has been carried out here, mainly driven by the Marine Institute as regards offshore energy, another country would have tackled the impediments to developing such energy sources. For example, one of the Irish companies which has developed advanced prototypes is going to carry out its final tests in Norway because it cannot secure connection to the grid. We must consider the impediments to developing this raw resource we possess and which has great potential. This must be done if we are to reach the requisite target, an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In effect, this will be an energy-neutral lifestyle that will be sustainable by virtue of not taking from the planet but by recycling back into it the essentials - food, energy and medicines. I acknowledge that medicines may have less of an impact. The challenge to achieve this should be seen as an opportunity.

I will turn to the first element which is highly relevant. I am a member of both the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security and the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as is Deputy Aylward. The emphasis on the agricultural impact on our greenhouse gas emissions per head of population is sometimes misconstrued. Ireland has a high dependence on agriculture. It has high agricultural output because this island of 6 million people is a bread basket that can feed 36 million people. Ireland is one of the most carbon-efficient producers of food. We are far more efficient, per unit of food, than any other country in Europe - New Zealand is probably the only country that can compare with us. However, there are no standards of equivalence for proper comparisons. This should be borne in mind before simply suggesting the number of cows must be cut to reduce Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. Ireland does not have heavy industry. It lacks major coal and steel plants, iron ore plants or heavy industrial plants such as those that can be found on the River Rhine, for instance. Consequently, this must be borne in mind. Ireland has never had such industries and to return to 1990 emissions levels, we must reduce our emissions by 13%. As the economy then was a fraction of its current level, we must think about how we can retain our current levels of economic development while meeting these targets. This presents us with both a challenge and a great opportunity.

As for research and development, if there is to be a carbon tax, the money should be recycled into stimuli that will reduce Ireland's carbon footprint, create jobs in the process and keep people at work. If it can be ring-fenced to do this, it will save money, rather than pulling in money as a tax take, by putting people to work and keeping them there. We should consider the issue in that context as there are great opportunities. The all-party Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security produced the heads of a Bill. The committee which is chaired by Deputy Barrett has worked in a non-confrontational all-party consensual manner since its inception and I implore those in power to bear this in mind when the committee produces reports.

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