Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I do not think I will get a chance to say everything I would like to say. A great deal of it has been said earlier in the debate.

I congratulate the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on his knowledge. He has spearheaded the Government's climate change strategy, which I welcome. I will speak about the great deal of progress that has been made to date. I do not doubt that much more can be done over the next couple of years. There is not enough public awareness of the climate change strategy.

I congratulate the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, on the publication of the White Paper on Energy. The Government set in the White Paper an ambitious target of ensuring that by 2020, one third of the energy that will be consumed will come from renewable sources. Such ambition is to be welcomed.

I will highlight some of the many things which have been done. The greener homes grant scheme for renewable energy in domestic homes has been a great success. Our VRT and motor tax systems are heavily biased in favour of cars with smaller engines, which produce fewer emissions.

I would like to highlight a certain point for the Minister, Deputy Roche. I wonder whether the industry is taking advantage of the current system. If a garage owner can sell a car, he or she will choose to sell a petrol car and then give the discount, whatever it is. He or she will not choose to sell a biofuel car because certain discrepancies would mean he or she would not gain in such circumstances. I would like the Minister to examine such matters. I could give many other examples if I had the time.

A huge strategy needs to be developed if we are to ensure Ireland is energy-efficient. Our schools have a major role to play in this regard. The public does not know enough about energy efficiency.

I welcome the decision of the Minister, Deputy Cowen, to provide €200 million in the budget for relief on biofuels. That is to be welcomed. Where will we go in the future, however? We all have a role to play in discussing this technical issue. More non-technical information needs to be made available if the Government's strategy is to work.

A great deal can be said about this matter in the future, but I will not say any more for now. I wish the Minister luck with his work in this area. I look forward to further discussions on it.