Derek McDowell (Labour)

People from every county participate in it. To say that it represents a Dublin mindset is simply not fair.

I have raised the issue of our Kyoto Protocol responsibilities on previous occasions. It is unclear whether the Russian Federation intends to ratify the protocol. Indications are that it does not. However, it is clear that the Government is not serious about the Irish obligations under the protocol. The Minister for Finance announced in his 2003 budget that a carbon energy tax would be introduced the following year. Remarkably, he made no mention of it in last week's Budget Statement. We must look again at our responsibilities under the protocol. They are serious responsibilities which could, if they are not met, bring serious fines to bear on Ireland and these could have consequences in themselves. I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange a debate in the new year on that issue.

Will the Deputy Leader intervene with the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism on an issue which we have discussed a number of times in recent weeks and which I know is close to the Deputy Leader's heart? There have been developments in the last week which make the issue even more urgent. The chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland has indicated that we may have to play soccer internationals abroad, interesting developments have been initiated in the Gaelic Athletic Association in Wicklow relating to Croke Park and a meeting will take place tomorrow between the Irish Rugby Football Union and the Minister. All of these developments come together nicely and bring to bear on us the urgency for the Government to give a clear line on an issue which is of great concern.