Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I have no difficulty in finding my way home on the N4. I ask the Leader to initiate a debate on climate change. Ten years ago introducing this issue in the House would not have been seen as having any great consequence. However, it is now to the forefront as it relates to the global future. It is appropriate that the Cathaoirleach welcomed representatives of various US state legislatures earlier. I commend the states in the United States which, despite the best efforts of the White House, have adopted many of the Kyoto principles in their own states to the point where I hope the US will come to its senses and realise its citizens too form part of the human race.

At the weekend the Taoiseach made commitments on a number of initiatives in the area of environmental protection. They cut across many Departments, including the Departments of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. I am involved in preparing a report on humanitarian disasters. From talking to the various lead agencies, including the Red Cross, it is clear that natural disasters are increasingly occurring in the Asia-Pacific area. These are very much related to climate change and indicate how, in a sense, we are probably destroying our own planet. In that context and in the context of the Taoiseach's initiative at the weekend, I ask the Leader to have a debate on the matter.