Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister and appreciate the way he has engaged with the House and the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on the issue. Such an engagement is important in terms of reaching consensus.

A high level of awareness now exists on the issue. Our recent weather patterns have persuaded most people of the indisputable evidence on climate change. The science is no longer in doubt and, with the exception of the columnist, Mr. Kevin Myers, there is now virtual unanimity on the issue.

A few days ago, the European Commission published highly ambitious and controversial climate change and renewable energy policies. It has put forward a set of legislative proposals that are designed to cut aggregate EU emissions by 20% by 2020. In effect, it is proposed to remove 600 million tonnes to 900 million tonnes of carbon emissions. While Ireland must create 16% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, the comparable figure is 3.1% at present. Such targets are ambitious but the Commission was correct to set the bar high. While Ireland should embrace them and make a serious attempt to reach them, I also agree with the Minister that we must negotiate, consider their implementation from our perspective and enter discussions with the Commission. Naturally each member state will so do and different interests will arise. However, we should accept the targets and make an ambitious effort to achieve them.

The report by Sir Nicholas Stern on the economics of climate change should be borne in mind. It stated the cost of inaction would be equivalent to the cost to the world economy of the great depression of the 1930s, that is, as much as 10% of gross domestic product, GDP. The cost of action over the period in question, however, is estimated to be approximately 1% of GDP.

As for renewable energy, we must continue to encourage the development of wind energy in the form of wind farms. Priority must be given to ensuring such wind farms will gain access to the grid. In addition, it is important that the energy they create flows into the national grid.

It is also important to consider the question of domestic wind turbines, which has been raised in the House by the Leas-Chathaoirleach a number of times. I understand that one difficulty associated with domestic wind turbines is that their initial costs only can be recouped in the long term. Given the long-term nature of our targets and ambitions, however, the Minister should closely consider the encouragement of domestic wind turbines and the degree to which, as the Leas-Chathaoirleach has often requested, grant aid or incentivisation could be employed to make them more widely used. I await the Minister's response to this issue with interest because I am unsure of the costing involved. However, I understand it may take 15 years before viability is achieved or returns are generated.

Although wave energy research already is in place, it must be continued and accelerated with a greater degree of investment to achieve an effective return. This form of energy may have great potential from a domestic perspective. As for bio-fuels, it is important to preserve a balance and avoid doing anything that would increase the price of food excessively. Therein lies a difficulty as one should not tolerate increases in direct consumer food prices or the linked issue of animal feed, etc. that arise from an over-reliance on bio-fuels. Moreover, the Minister made the point earlier that complete consensus does not yet exist on whether bio-fuels always save on emissions and this issue must be examined.

I believe a reconstruction of the railway system constitutes an opportunity that has not been grasped properly in Ireland. The Minister referred previously to the important point that carbon emissions from our cars, lorries and transport system as a whole are highly significant contributors to Ireland's overall carbon emissions levels. Transport is at the centre of our difficulties and tackling this sector will be central to efforts to reduce our emissions and reach the target reductions of 20% by 2020. In that context, the Government must consider the return of the railways. At a minimum, a White Paper on the reintroduction of the railway system should be produced as it requires serious analysis. I believe the physical presence of railways would encourage their use.

While I will not digress, I recall the construction of a swimming pool in my home locality. When seeking funding for the pool, I argued that although the population base was not very large, individuals would swim more frequently and cultural changes would increase use, etc. Thankfully, this has proven to be the case. The same principle applies to railways. The presence of a railway would generate greatly increased usage of it and we can save on emissions in this manner.

The use of railways would result also in the emergence of a culture of public transport usage and a consequential reduction in car usage. We must try to encourage car sharing. A culture has arisen in which no one any longer contemplates drinking and then driving home. This now is an accepted norm. Similarly, Members should encourage the development of a culture in which people share cars while going to work or use public transport. A critical factor, however, is that public transport infrastructure must be in place first. It is regrettable that this issue was not included in the Minister's statement because I believe it to be critical. The renewal and recreation of Ireland's railway system will be highly important.

The European Commission has stated that fossil fuel consumption must be reduced by as much as 200 million tonnes to 300 million tonnes per year. Clearly this is important given the present price of oil and the question of energy security. The increase in wind energy development, the exploration and development of wave energy, the creation of and experimentation with new energy forms, the introduction of railways and so on should be considered in the context of tackling climate change, which in itself would be a worthy objective. They also should be considered as ways to ensure the security of our energy supply in future and to reduce our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels. This will be important given the existing and projected cost of oil.

The conservation of energy also is of major importance. While we must create sources of renewable or alternative energy, the conservation of existing energy is of great importance. In that context, I support the initiatives in the area of motor taxation. However, the issue of insulation of Ireland's housing stock also is critical. Much of the housing stock that was built some time ago is in need of insulation. This is true of both local authority and private houses and the Minister should examine this issue. The Government has failed to date to grapple with the issue by producing a national grants scheme to provide insulation. Much can be done in this regard to conserve energy and energy conservation must constitute a twin strand of our strategy. Further development of renewable energy resources should be encouraged through a combination of methods. The conservation of energy, in so far as it is possible, should run parallel with the expansion of the development of renewable energy. The insulation of houses is critical in this regard.

Senator Martin Brady is present and will be very aware that water-powered flax and corn mills were once in operation in the Cavan-Monaghan region. The mills harnessed the power of rivers. A gentleman took me around to look at the many extant mills in the Monaghan area. Water power could again be harnessed for the creation of electricity at local level and should be considered. We must think outside the box. If a resource exists in nature and is cheap and practical, why not use it? In the same vein, we should consider wind turbines, insulation and every possible option. To reach the ambitious targets we have set without dislocating national industries, it is critical that we consider the alternatives. Renewable energy development will lead to job creation, particularly in high-tech industry, and to new economic opportunities.

While I acknowledge that awareness of climate change is heightening, it is important that we continue to generate awareness. In addition to the actions we take, we must run an education and awareness programme, especially in respect of cars. A cultural sea change is required. Perhaps we all have contributed to generating the perception that one needs to drive vehicles the size of a Land Rover. Doing so is perfectly understandable if one is engaged in agriculture or construction, for example, but it is incomprehensible why other individuals need such machines just to go to the local shop. It defies analysis and is quite sad. An education campaign should be launched and the reintroduction of a good public transport system would assist in this regard.

We have lost the run of ourselves in this area. Our dependence on cars should not be half as great as it is and there is no need for the large cars, jeeps and Land Rovers that we possess. Our parents and grandparents progressed very well in society without having half of what we have. While I am not being flat-earthist about the matter or advocating going back in time, I believe some of the trappings of modernity could well be cast aside.