James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----since it took office. All one needs to do is to look at the CAP funding package introduced by this Government last year which includes a fund of €12.5 billion for farming. Farmers have been encouraged with attractive grants to grow and plant trees.

Throughout my political career, both as a county councillor and as a Member of this House, I have always had a special interest in climate change and the issues surrounding it. As a member of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, I have spent some time researching the arguments for and against this legislation. Yesterday I met with constituents of mine who were part of the Stop Climate Chaos campaign. They raised some valid points about this legislation. No matter what side of the climate change debate one chooses, whether one considers it is causing global warming or global cooling, the message is clear that action must be taken. Whether climate change is a man-made crisis or part of recurring patterns, we see the worrying results such as unparalleled weather in this country and across Europe. Climate change will be one of the biggest challenges we face in the 21st century and as a result we must ensure we have in place appropriate legislation and structures to combat it.

This Bill has been developed following extensive public consultation with a number of stakeholders and interest groups, including members of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. In a nutshell, this legislation provides a basis for the national objective of transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by the year 2050. In a clear and concise manner, this Bill sets out the route in which the transition towards a low carbon economy will be achieved. The main vehicle for this transition will be through a national mitigation plan, which will lower Ireland's level of greenhouse-gas emissions. A national adaptation framework will provide for responses to changes caused by climate change. Most important, both of these plans will be renewed every five years as it will allow us to tailor the plans to any unforeseen circumstances.

I refer to the positive aspects of this Bill. If and when this Bill passes through both Houses, it will be the first climate change legislation ever enacted in Ireland and it will be an historic piece of legislation.

I spoke in the debate on climate change in the House in December 2009. I called on the former Minister, a Green Party Minister at that, to bring forward comprehensive climate change legislation. However, it has taken five long years for legislation to finally reach the floor of this House and while that is not as fast as I had originally hoped, it is a welcome move all the same.

Members of the Opposition have expressed concern about the lack of specific targets in this legislation. However, I agree with the Minister's point on this matter. Ireland has already signed up to very strict international obligations and legally binding greenhouse-gas mitigation targets. Discussions are ongoing for 2030 targets and I have no doubt this target-setting process will continue into 2040 and 2050. The EU has set out a long-term plan of low-carbon transition in its national climate policy position. Therefore, I see no logical reason we must set in legislation further mitigation targets for Ireland. A very good point was raised recently which would reinforce my argument. Had we had set targets previously we would have needed to change them to accommodate the abolition of milk quotas.

This climate Bill is an important matter for all of us and it should be closely examined by all Members of the House. It is very important that a small country like ours leads the way in combatting climate change through legislation. If this legislation is passed through the House, Ireland will find itself in the company of a small group of EU member states which have specific climate change legislation and I will be very pleased when that is achieved.

In conclusion, I fully agree with the sentiments and the goals of this legislation as it is the right thing for our environment and our country. I would have liked to have seen it enacted sooner but, as is always the case, it is better late than never. I commend the Minister on his work to date on this legislation. I commend all the bodies which took part in the various discussions in advance of the drafting of this legislation. Some very sensible proposals were put forward. There is nothing permanent except change. If any flaws are discovered in the legislation I hope we can address them during the next stages. I compliment the Minister on introducing the Bill.

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