Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 6: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has assessed the implications for the Irish economy of the new EU climate change commitments. [15678/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my previous replies regarding the proposals published by the Commission that will lead to an agreement on the contributions of individual member states towards meeting the EU targets agreed at the 2007 spring Council. The Commission proposes that Ireland reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 based on 2005 emissions figures and achieve an overall target of 16% of final energy consumption from renewable energy by 2020. The proposals will take effect from 2012 after the current Kyoto arrangements.

The proposals set out by the Commission are complex and far-reaching and require detailed analysis and discussion at EU and domestic level and negotiations on the suite of directives are currently under way. The cost in budgetary terms and the economic impact will depend on the methods used to achieve whatever target is set and the framework agreed in the final directives. Obviously, we will try to be as fiscally neutral as possible.

As we have made clear, the Government supports the overall objectives agreed and the leadership shown by the EU's ambitions in respect of climate change. It is important that national circumstances and competitiveness impacts are considered in the context of finalising the EU's measures. In making decisions on what policies would best achieve the final targets, we must have regard to national competitiveness and the impact of policies on different sectors. The Government, through its actions on taxation of motor vehicles, new building regulations and the energy efficiency promotion, has begun the process of adapting the economy to a lower carbon footing. This is a challenge for all citizens, not just the Government, and will involve choices and changes in behaviour being made to realise the ambition of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In recent years, the Government has been acting to begin to address the challenge and we will continue to work towards reducing emissions. These are Commission proposals and there is still some way to go before they become agreed policy. The Cabinet sub-committee on climate change and energy security, chaired by the Taoiseach, has met a number of times to co-ordinate our negotiation approach.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Does the Tánaiste accept that the climate change strategy published in 2000, which was designed to secure a 20% reduction, failed? The Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, admitted this. What does the Tánaiste believe are the lessons to be drawn from the fact that the then Government set itself the same EU ambition he is now praising, but in respect of which the Government did not deliver? What implications are we to draw about the implementation of this public policy under the stewardship of the Tánaiste and his colleagues and what changes does he plan to make to ensure the same result does not recur?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The targets are challenging and the objective is to try to meet them on the basis of avoiding a detrimental effect on economic growth, jobs and investment. A serious behavioural change on everyone's part will be required. We are discussing with the Commission the method to achieve the targets. As matters stand, they would be difficult to achieve were there no flexibility. Part of the political process of interaction between governments and the Commission is to work out the details and to determine how to achieve targets in a way that does not have a negative or more expensive effect than would otherwise be the case.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I asked about the Government's 2000 programme, which was not delivered on.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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We were not able to meet the rate of growth requirements set out in our programme for Government. A number of available mechanisms, such as the emissions trading system and the non-emissions trading system, must be considered. This is a lesson for the future. Regarding carbon sinks and so on, we must determine to what extent we can ensure a comprehensive approach by the Commission——

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I must allow other Deputies to ask questions.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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——to allow us flexibility. We need flexibility to try to reach the targets.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The previous programme failed.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I agree with the Tánaiste that the target is difficult in that we will need to reduce our emissions, which are 25% above the target level. There is a 2% annual increase in emissions despite the need for a 3% to 4% reduction. I agreed with the Tánaiste's comments on maintaining the national development plan's investment spending, but why has the Government announced later dates for the implementation of public transport projects when the largest portion of emission increases comes from increased car ownership? Our country has little public transport in that there are not enough buses or trains. As the Tánaiste moves into his new role as Taoiseach, does he propose to put serious emphasis on public transport? His colleague has set back by years the dates for the delivery of the bulk of Transport 21.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It is not fair to say that they are being set back by years.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The website in question contains a long list.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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When one sets about putting in place complex and ambitious public sector projects, some of which are proceeding quickly——

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Roads, not public transport.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Luas extensions are proceeding through their various phases. We must give credit to public service agencies when they are doing a good job on our behalf. Surely we have not become so politically correct that we must criticise everything. The Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, has been doing a good job in moving those extensions through the various phases that must be passed in our democracy. This situation is similar to the matter of land acquisitions in other major projects and we must ensure that we can provide a means by which they can be financed.

These are not simple, get-up-in-the-morning and dig-a-trench-type projects, rather they are complex, necessary and ambitious and we are committed to them. Without making a political point, we all know of the historic underinvestment in this area for generations. As I remind the House often, we first required a railway safety programme before we could engage in an investment programme. We could not verify something was safe.

Let us be logical. The commitment to the projects remain. We must bring them forward as quickly as possible and the methods to do so are outlined in Transport 21. It is not a question of providing money today and having builders in tomorrow, rather it is a matter of working the consultative process with communities. Deputy Burton is aware of the phases and what must be done even better than I am. The costs of land acquisition and so on are considerable issues and significant moneys must be defrayed to address them.

I agree we must move as quickly as possible in respect of modes of public transport. Other cities can be examined, but this city needs it in particular and we are committed to this work.