Joe O'Toole (Independent)

While people might not have liked what they heard, every question was answered and there was no attempt to hide. When I spoke here three days ago, I said I hoped that whatever happened, we would not end up in a cloud of ignorance. We know how matters stand and can measure what progress has been made. While the increment may not be the extra mile we wanted, it is important to us all that we have had full publication of what was agreed. The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister were available to answer every question. I would like to see that process continued in the House. If the Taoiseach is not available, the Minister for Foreign Affairs should come to the House to answer questions. We have had questions and answers previously. It would be useful if questions such as those asked by Senator Finucane a minute ago could be put and answered in our presence. I sense the media is trying to catch someone out in the negotiations with questions about photographs. It does not work that way. We are where we are and I would like to ask questions here about the future and how we can make the process work. I want the size of the problem we face to be quantified.

There was a perfect example of the "Yes, Minister" style at its worst on "Morning Ireland" recently. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government told the world unashamedly that while he was in favour of incineration, he was opposed to it in his own constituency. He felt that was an appropriate approach for a Minister to take as we should all remember that as well as being Ministers, Cabinet members are also constituency representatives. What they have to do for their constituencies may be different from what they have to do as Ministers. I am completely confused. It would be very helpful if the Minister came to the House to explain his views on incineration. It is a very tricky issue on which I do not pretend to know the answers. I tend to be in favour of incineration to an extent, but am not sure what we should do.

I would also like the Minister to attend to explain to the House where we stand on the Kyoto Agreement, especially in light of the comment by a member of President Bush's cabinet that it is not environmentally friendly and should not be supported. I want to know what we have done in the context of the protocol and, in particular, what the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is doing to support people who take environmentally friendly house building decisions on rain water management, solar panels and underground heating systems. Are we encouraging people with tax breaks or grants?