Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I am not sure whether what the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government put forward was a low-carbon or a high-carbon smokescreen. However, I am taken aback by the elation shown by the members of this party because it appears, at long last, that they have had something placed on the agenda for which they can claim credit. Two years ago, Members were asked to traipse over to Buswell's Hotel to sign up, in principle, to the concept of a carbon tax. We were asked to do so by an organisation whose members are quite close to the Ministers from the Green Party. We were informed at that stage that a carbon tax was going to be introduced. However, the proposals in that regard subsequently went to pot.

On agricultural diesel, we are trying to produce food in as low-cost an environment as possible. The Minister gave the game away when he stated that a carbon tax will also allow us to maintain or reduce our payroll costs. I do not know what that has to do with ring-fencing carbon revenues in order to allow people to produce food or to operate their businesses in a low-carbon environment. The Minister really let the cat out of the bag on this one.

On organic farming, and as the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Sargent, pointed out at the National Ploughing Championships 12 months ago, Switzerland has a 5% organic farming sector. This means that 95% of its production is not organic. To say that a housewife can push a trolley to a farmers market and purchase everything necessary to feed her family is absolute nonsense. People in this country who use conventional farming methods can produce food in a more carbon-efficient manner than any of their counterparts in organic farming. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government should appoint consultants to compile an independent report on this matter.

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