Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I thank the Minister. This is an issue of interest to me. There is much nonsense spoken on this topic. I am putting forward practical proposals for dealing with this issue and I suggest every step should be a practical one and no step should be over the limit of stupidity while at the same time the balance must be maintained.

When the Minister directs the agency, the NTMA, I ask him to request a mix which will include removal units, CERs and the others so that they would all be included. We would then do three things, namely, involve ourselves in the clean development mechanisms in Third World countries to undertake superb projects as outlined in the Minister's contribution; agree joint initiatives in other countries where Ireland would undertake similar projects in order to create and gain; and rid ourselves of some of the emissions through the elimination of what are generally referred to as sink units, if that is the correct term.

If this balance was being achieved I could look Gerard McCaughey in the eye.