James Carroll (Fianna Fail)

That is right. However, as time moves on we see that actions can make a difference. Senator Quinn mentioned Easter Island and the catastrophes that have already occurred on the planet. As national legislators and policymakers, we have a role and responsibility to ensure we make a difference locally. In that way, we might impact upon the big polluters such as the United States, China, India and Australia and make a difference. I wish the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the best of luck in Copenhagen. A point of hope is that President Obama is due to attend towards the end of the conference, on 18 December. I hope that says much about the intent of the United States and how seriously that country will take the conference and what flows from it.

Senator Boyle said climate change is the greatest challenge we all face. The controversy over the research at the East Anglia research institute has done serious harm to the climate change argument and given oxygen to the anti-climate change brigade. I hope the fact that a certain research institute may have manipulated figures does not take away from this key issue which is so important for all of us.

In part, I welcome the announcement of the carbon tax which is, ultimately, a tax on pollution. It attempts to disincentivise people on point of purchase, making them ask what will be the consequent pollutant factor. The challenge then will be for people to make their different choices. As I stated on the Order of Business, those who can use the option of rail should have optimum benefits but since the re-opening of the line to Drogheda three weeks ago, there has been a diminution of the service. I hope that situation will be addressed because we must incentivise people to get out of their cars. An increase in cost can achieve that but we must ensure a viable and better alternative is in place for them.

I welcomed the Minister for Finance's declaration that the money to come from the carbon tax will be ring-fenced for energy efficient schemes, retrofitting of insulation and rural transport. As one who represents a rural county, Louth, I can say the rural transport scheme has been an enormous success and has had a positive impact on the quality of life of many elderly people in the community who now have an opportunity to get to towns and villages from their own areas, which may be rural and isolated. I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, will take responsibility for this and ensure it will happen. It will be a key point for all of us in the future.

That issue is tied to the ring-fencing of moneys for retrofitting insulation which will be the future for the construction industry in the short term. Many people have got great benefit from Sustainable Energy Ireland's home energy saving scheme, the warmer homes scheme and others. A total of €130 million in funding has been specifically targeted for this. I also welcome that there will be an opportunity for people in local authority housing to avail of the scheme. Only when one goes into a house before and after such improvements are undertaken does one see the difference made. As Senator Brady noted, people sometimes find it difficult to quantify the benefits of such schemes and ask whether the benefits are financial or heat related. As we go into 2010 many elderly and people with young children do not wish to live in damp houses.

Senator Boyle got some stick from the Opposition regarding the point he made but he hit the nail on the head. We must try to change our mentality. New, younger legislators like me hope we can change the mentality. We must focus on how the green debate and agenda can change our lives and economies and how, at local, national and international levels, people can work hand in hand to improve the quality of life of both humans and the planet. That will be key. Regarding yesterday's budget, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, welcomed the total spend of €2.3 billion for his Department for 2010. That is the second largest capital spend of any Department that year. It is welcome and worthwhile.

I wish the Minister, Deputy Gormley, and all the delegates to the conference in Copenhagen the best of luck in finding a successor to the Kyoto Protocol. As Senator Brady mentioned, the four key elements of the Bali action plan must be targeted: mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and finance. We must produce a clear and strong focus for future action and have a long-term goal.

As I said at the outset, when one sees goals for 2050 such as reducing emissions by 50% compared with 1990, levels the worry is this seems so far away. The year 2050 is many moons from now. I hope I shall be at home with my grandchildren sitting on my knee not worrying about such matters because we will have taken the right decisions. Those decisions we must make now are key for the future, not only locally in Ireland or in the short term but internationally. It is the chance of a lifetime for many people at the conference. President Obama has inspired many of us with his message of hope but it must be translated into actions. That is key.

I thank the Seanad for giving me the opportunity to speak on this matter today. I wish the Minister, Deputy Gormley, the best of luck in Copenhagen and I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, for his attendance.