Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I thank the Minister and Members who spoke in support of the Bill. I am very grateful to them for doing so. I am also very grateful to Oisín Coughlan, Friends of the Earth, the other lobbyists and members and supporters of Friends of the Earth and the other development and environmental NGOs which supported the Bill and lobbied Senators.

Colleagues mentioned support from all parties. Just more than two years ago Deputy Sargent of the Green Party, now a junior minister, described Fianna Fáil as a huddle of gangsters spending taxpayers' money in a carbon casino plotting the most conniving scams to dodge even the woefully inadequate Kyoto targets. Echoing what Senators White and Fitzgerald said, it is important there is cross party support not only from the Opposition but from the Government. I am grateful to colleagues for saying so as it is vital.

Senator Boyle and the Minister supported the idea that Second Stage be adjourned tonight without a vote. I believe the Minister mentioned 20 December, for which I am grateful. We would like the debate to be adjourned on Government time. I believe Senator Boyle has promised that Second Stage will resume in the House on 20 December in order that we can see what progress has been made and debate it in the context of progress post the Bali talks and discussions with all the parties on this issue. I am grateful to colleagues.

On the basis of the promise by the Minister and Senator Boyle promise, I move that the Second Stage debate be adjourned and resumed in December.