Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is quite bizarre that we are here. I find it really appalling that we are ratifying an agreement that, in reality, we have no intention of abiding by. Even as the agreement was signed, the Government knew it did not attempt to meet our targets. That has not changed. The figures show this.

Irish agriculture is due to increase its emissions by 6% to 7% by 2020 while transport emissions are set to climb between 10% and 16% over the levels for 2014. In reality, as I am sure other Deputies have said, we will fall short on our emissions target by 70%. In some ways, we are just pretending to ratify the agreement because there is no agreed plan in place. There are always excuses made and there is always something else that gets in the way. In the past few weeks, the Government, through the EPA, opposed stronger air pollution standards for coal- and peat-fired power stations. Our so-called transitional national plan is really just another dodging of our obligations, a kicking of the can down the road. First, we are told we are too poor and in recession and that we cannot do what is required. Then we are told that the economy is only turning a corner and that we may be able to do what is required. There is always something put in the way of making the tackling of climate change a key priority.

We must compare the approach taken in this State with that of a similar jurisdiction, Scotland. We must keep repeating these points ad nauseambecause Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions fell by 8.6% in 2014 to almost 40% below the 1990 levels. Scotland is ahead of its 2020 target by 42%. We will fall short of our target by about 70%. We actually engage in behaviour that makes circumstances worse. We are furthering our agricultural policy and subsidising fossil fuels rather than solar panels. We are creating a new competent authority for addressing aircraft noise that facilitates the development of Dublin Airport as a major hub, with all the consequential environmental and climate change impediments. We will keep doing this because our policies are heading in that direction. If we do not heed the moral obligation and life-and-death obligation to the planet, the cost should be considered, given that the Government always loves to consider the cost. Some sources claim we will lose between €3 billion and €6 billion up to 2030 if we do not deal with this issue. I really do not believe we are dealing with it. I am not blaming the Minister personally but the Government policies are sending us in a different direction. We are really just engaged in a bit of a stunt today to pretend we are ratifying something when, in reality, we are not doing so.

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