Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Taoiseach for attending the Chamber in advance of the EU Summit. It gives Deputies such as me the chance to address the issues that will arise. My colleague, Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn, has raised the issues relating to the financial crisis. However, the summit will also finalise the European Union's position for the Durban conference on climate change to be held on 28 November. There is an opportunity to shape the policy on an issue that has an impact on the global community and our nation.

Ireland is known throughout the world for its natural beauty and for the health and goodness of our natural produce yet, as a small island community, we are overly dependent on imported fossil fuels, which accounts for almost 90% of our fuel. This dependency undermines our environment and our economy. We are at the mercy of oil and gas producers and we have sold ourselves short on our rights in areas such as the Corrib basin. The energy costs for our people, our environment and our industry are unsustainable. An example is the recent 20% increase in domestic gas prices.

As a small nation, we have a wealth of potential sources of renewal energy in tidal and wind power. EU studies have demonstrated that we have more potential for these forms of sustainable energy than any other European country. We need to support and incentivise the use of such energy. Research has demonstrated that through wind power alone Ireland could become an exporter of sustainable energy to the rest of Europe. However we need to get the investment and infrastructure in place. This type of energy could be tapped and used for the benefit of our industry and our people.

These changes would have an impact not only on our economy but on our natural environment. I ask that the Government seeks to raise the EU's target on reducing CO2 emissions from 20% to a more ambitious 30%. Studies have shown that a 10% increase in the target would reduce Europe's oil and gas bill by over €40 billion per year, while simultaneously encouraging a much-needed uptake in green technologies. A legally binding 30% target would inevitably encourage the move to cleaner renewable energy and subsequently increase fuel security, which is very important. Given our natural assets, this move would benefit Ireland greatly.

Climatologists now agree that the existing commitments and pledges made under the Copenhagen Accord and formalised within the Cancun Agreements, are insufficient to meet the objective of limiting the overall global annual mean surface temperature increase to 2°C. It is clear that more needs to be done and action needs to be taken directly and quickly. The issue of climate change is a pressing issue for Ireland, for our people and our prosperity. An approach to reduce carbon emission would be good for the globe, good for all of us and good for our country. We are uniquely situated to lead on sustainable energy. I ask the Taoiseach to push the issue for a reduction of 30% in emissions at the EU Council meeting.

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