Fiona O'Malley (Progressive Democrats)

I apologise to the Minister, Deputy Gormley, that I was not in the House to hear his words but I have read them. I welcome the Minister's commendation of the work of the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security. During the life of the last Dáil, his party colleague, Deputy Eamon Ryan, was very keen that this issue should be dealt with on a cross-party basis. This is the only way to deal with it properly. This issue does not divide us politically. This is why the joint committee works so well. I thank the Minister for his warm comments.

Senator Quinn mentioned the exclusion of forestry from the emissions trading scheme mechanism. This is unfortunate. The consequence of this could be that fewer forests will be planted in Ireland. Our climate is suitable for the development of forestry and there is considerable untapped potential for a bio-fuel industry. This potential must be harnessed.

It is difficult to know how to deal with the question of CO2 emissions from agriculture. One must consider the size of the national herd. An obvious and radical solution would be for farmers to diversify into forestry. Why can forests not be treated like other crops, albeit with a longer rotation? If we do not look at agriculture differently and consider different solutions in the area of climate change we will not meet our targets. This is made clear by the very small decline in our CO2 emissions, particularly in the area of agriculture. Equally, the Minister yesterday outlined statistics relating to transport. Transport emissions targets have increased and no one knows more and understands the complexities and the scale of the challenge more than the Minister. How will CO2 emissions be reduced in the transport sector without the development of a much more comprehensive public transport system? For example, the public and private sectors must work hand in hand to deliver bus services throughout the State in order that people will leave their cars at home and avail of public transport systems, which will reduce emissions. I welcome the Minister's decision to convert public service fleets to electricity, which cannot happen fast enough.

Senator Quinn touched on how we can deliver the infrastructure to reduce CO2 emissions, which is what the directive is about. The Minister is responsible for foreshore licences. As Senator Quinn outlined, permissions are granted readily in other jurisdictions. The Minister will be aware of the time and complexities involved in the grant of foreshore licences, which is a barrier. The Government should be in the business of removing barriers to enterprise and facilitating its own policies. This is one area in which swift action could be taken. Deputy Barrett has asked umpteen times when legislation will come to the Houses to amend the regulations governing foreshore licences. That cannot happen quickly enough and I would love the Minister to back calls for that to happen as a priority.

I am concerned about the carbon trading proposals in the directive. I am an environmental realist, which means that while I am committed to looking after the climate and everyone trying to reduce their impact on the world in whatever way they can, at the same time I live in the real world in which people must make a living and an economy must survive and thrive. That has an impact on our carbon footprint. The lack of agreement on a global carbon trading system could be detrimental because, until that happens, carbon trading will be a mess similar to the financial sector. One system is needed throughout the world because this is a global problem. The European Union should not go down the road of operating separately from other trading mechanisms.

With regard to carbon leakage, we have a responsibility to ensure industry and business do not move operations outside the Union because of our stringent emissions regulations. We should facilitate rather than prevent progress in this area.