Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The point made is that although the European Union considers that the Copenhagen Accord is insufficient and needs to be developed in a more ambitious and robust legal agreement, it accepts that this was the best outcome that could be achieved at the time. The accord should be seen as a further step forward in the ongoing negotiations towards an effective international agreement.

With regard to the formal acceptance of the Copenhagen Accord, the EU has maintained its lead position by reiterating its declaration to a 20% reduction, increasing to 30% within an international agreement where other parties make comparable reductions. That is the point. At this point we do not have an international agreement to reach the reduction of 30%. We have been in detailed discussions with the European Commission on an ongoing basis to ensure we ameliorate the impact in certain sectors. Various discussions have taken place which would recognise Ireland's particular position, especially in regard to agriculture.

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