Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Ireland has very challenging emissions reduction targets covering the eight years from 2013 to 2020 in the sectors of the economy which are not part of the European emissions trading sector. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government published a review of national climate policy on 3 November, signalling an intention to set out a roadmap for national low carbon ratings. That will provide an opportunity to present a vision, at least for the period up to 2050, in which climate policy must be mainstreamed across every policy area. The Minister announced that an independent study would be carried out by the secretariat to the National Economic and Social Council to inform that policy position and he also initiated a public consultation which will take place in 2012, involving all interested parties.

The provisional figures released two weeks ago by the Environmental Protection Agency show a welcome drop in the total national greenhouse emissions levels in 2010, but there can be absolutely no misunderstanding about the scale of the challenge facing us in the years ahead. I am not aware of the nature and extent of the fraud that Deputy Higgins refers to and how the European Parliament is acting. I am sure the audit committees will consider the matter closely.

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