Dan Boyle (Green Party)

The need for a type of Tallaght strategy on climate change means that all public representatives need to be involved in a process of education and change. All of us in this country and through whatever role we can play internationally are aware, because of the nature of the environmental challenges facing us, that we must change the way we live and work and the way we travel. Without such changes, anything we might say in a debate such as this merely represents platitudes. If we do not address the core issue of how we came to this situation, we will not go any closer to solving the central problems.

Certain people have been frivolous in their contributions in suggesting, for example, that a little global warming might be good for Ireland and might result in having grapevines in County Wexford. However, I point Members to the iconic picture a few years ago of the Taoiseach in his wellingtons when the River Tolka flooded. With the scale of climate change it is not beyond the scope of possibility that a similar picture in a number of years' time will see a Head of Government wearing a wetsuit in a similar situation and perhaps we will have a real flood tribunal then. The effects of climate change, even in a country like Ireland, will mean rapidly changing climatic conditions which will worsen owing to other environmental effects such as coastal erosion and possibly even the diversion of the Gulf Stream, which gives us a slightly warmer climate than we are entitled to. Ireland is on the same latitude as Newfoundland. Our winters should be similar to those experienced in Moscow. The climate change that could occur if we do not get our act together could result in many unfortunate people becoming more unfortunate because of their inability to adapt.

By getting our act together environmentally, we will do ourselves a huge favour economically. Ireland is 80% dependent on fossil fuels and 90% dependent on foreign fuel sources. Alternative technologies to produce renewable energy should be developed so that Ireland would be at a great advantage economically as it faces new challenges. However, we have delayed too long and prevaricated while opportunities have been taken by other countries. For instance, Denmark is similar in size to Ireland with a population of 5 million and it meets 25% of its energy needs through wind energy. Ireland has greater capacity and it could build turbines to produce energy and create jobs. This would result in the State paying less to oil rich states in the Middle East and other countries from whom we purchase energy resources.

Members cannot wind back the clock and say the failures of previous Governments have not been addressed. We must start here and move forward collectively. This is why I hope the debate will continue beyond this session. An important international gathering will take place in Bali in early December and, while the Minister will contribute later in the debate, I hope that rather than completing Second Stage tonight, the debate will be adjourned and resumed following the discussion at international level when Ireland's role will be examined, and I would like the Government to introduce necessary changes in the meantime. Members can comment on my proposal later.

We largely agree with the Bill. Distinctions are made regarding targeting. For instance, annual targeting is not referred to directly in the programme for Government. A 3% average over the lifetime of the Government is mentioned because it is difficult to achieve annual targets. To date, a slowdown in the rate of increase in greenhouse gases is all that has been achieved. It is likely that last year's level will be repeated this year or there might by a slight increase. It could be 18 months or two years into the life of the Government before reductions are achieved. Many of the changes we are making might not take that long to take effect. That is the danger of annual limits. Despite it being a difficult target to achieve, I am confident we can aspire to 3% but only if that is done collectively. If there is political dissension on this issue, I would despair that we could even come close to achieving that target, as business would continue as usual.

The Bill provides for a mechanism whereby a vote of no confidence in the Minister would automatically take place if he or she did not fulfil his or her responsibilities in meeting particular targets. That is interesting and——