Déirdre de Búrca (Green Party)

I welcome the Minister of State and welcome the opportunity to discuss the scrutiny report on the EU climate-energy package produced by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security. I remind Members that the Green Party was instrumental in having that committee established. It has been an active presence on the committee, as have all the committee members. The committee has produced a fine report that we have the opportunity to debate.

The policy framework to which Ireland is responding has come from the EU. Ireland's track record in addressing climate change and our contribution to climate change has been poor. Ireland's per capita emissions of greenhouse gases are the fifth highest in the world, which is incredible when one considers the size of the country and our small population. We have an enabling framework from the EU policy framework that has set targets and put mechanisms in place. We must now examine this and we are now reacting to the proposals made in respect of what the EU sees as Ireland's responsibilities and potential contribution. We must see how we will implement the specific commitments we are obliged to make.

In examining any response to climate change we must be prepared to make fundamental and radical changes to how we do business. Unfortunately, the Opposition is good at complaining and attacking the Green Party, saying it has made no difference in Government. If measures are introduced that call for change, which no one likes, the Opposition is very opportunistic in jumping on them. At a recent meeting, the Labour Party stated it was opposed to the introduction of a carbon levy. I find it difficult to understand how the Labour Party will make a transition to a low carbon economy, which is effectively what we must do, if we do not put a price on carbon. I am delighted the Fianna Fáil Party recognised this and, in the programme for Government, we made a firm commitment to introducing a carbon levy, planned for next year's budget.

The shift to a low carbon economy does not have to be bad news. It is something we must do and the quicker we do it, the more advantage this country gets in terms of leadership, being ahead of others, new technologies, economic activities and the possibilities for green business and enterprise that open in the shift to a low carbon economy. With Ireland's potential renewable energy resources, this country stands to benefit considerably if we are to take a leadership position and seize the opportunity before others.

I refer to Senator McFadden's comments that the Green Party has achieved nothing. Yesterday, the carbon budget was announced by the Minister. It was welcome and, while no one is saying it is perfect, the way in which we use it can be refined and improved. Since the Green Party entered the Government, this is the first time the Government has evaluated and assessed the extent to which budgetary decisions and the working of the economy has an impact on carbon emissions. This also gives us the opportunity to identify areas of transport, agriculture and waste as high contributors to our greenhouse gas emissions and carbon emissions. We must examine new and innovative ways to shift to lower emission levels.

In this year's budget I am happy with the €45 million dedicated towards energy efficiency measures. Some €10 million will be spent on the greener homes scheme, €20 million on home energy schemes and €5 million on retrofitting council houses. In better economic circumstances, we would hope to have more revenue to dedicate to these areas but in straitened and difficult times, our commitment to energy efficiency is clear in this allocation.

I point out to Senator McFadden that in difficult economic times, the metro north project, the extension of the Luas and the Cork-Midleton line remain on track. These are public transport projects that will go ahead despite difficult circumstances.

We welcome details of the scrutiny report on the climate-energy package. We welcome the changes to the EU trading scheme whereby there will now be an EU cap on credits issued rather than the current system where each member state has its own cap. We also welcome that emissions credits will no longer be issued for free but must be paid for. These are more realistic market conditions for the shift to the low carbon economy and this will provide an incentive for investment in lower carbon economies. We welcome the overall binding EU target of 20% use of renewable energy by 2020. Ireland can go further and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is convinced we can reach a target of 40% by 2020. It will be challenging but it offers economic opportunities. I welcome the report and look forward to its implementation.