Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Carpe diem, Minister. We cannot depend indefinitely on the future. We can say it will happen but there is one thing we can guarantee here today and that is that Ireland is facing substantial fines for failure to meet its targets. There are key areas within the sustainable sector that need stimulation from Government policy and initiative. The biomass area, for example, solar photovoltaic, PV, and many other areas will be key components in moving the economy to a reduced carbon emission dependency, but they are waiting for Government policy. We have major sectors of the economy, so the private sector will respond to stimulation, incentive and demand. We know there is demand and if that demand is not addressed, we will face further fines continually. Rather than the Minister outlining his policies in terms of what he has done to date and the greater plans into the future, in the here and now we should start that stimulation of the private sector so that it can get on with investing in sustainable energy solutions for the broader economy.

See this speech in context