Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----including in the Ceann Comhairle's years when he did exceptionally well, but it was based on accurate scientific evidence. What happened here, in setting out the targets for Ireland for 2020, was based on an amalgam of different pieces of information.

It set us a target that was utterly unachievable. One could ask whether we were to proceed on the basis that we accepted the target for 2020 and build on it for 2030, which would make it even more unrealistic, when the fines could increase to in excess of €1 billion and the concessions hard won by the people of this country would be wiped out. I say to Deputy Adams that it was important for us to be realistic about what Ireland could achieve. We have the scientific evidence to prove it and to back it up. We have drawn up a profile to show what we can do in the agri-sector, and what we are doing in terms of emissions.

The Minister of State, Deputy Simon Harris, has responsibility for the Office of Public Works, among many other things. Next year, for the first time ever, he will publish maps of the areas around the country that are prone to flooding. A total of 300 areas have been identified.

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