Mark Dearey (Green Party)

It is kind of the Minister to say so. Given the requirement for the highest level of public trust and transparency, it is wise that the new programme for Government envisages an examination of the process of appointment to all of these boards. This is an important commitment which was agreed between the Government parties and which ought to proceed even as we move to have the Bill, which will give the Minister power to make temporary appointments, enacted. Given the particular skill sets the appointees would need in the areas of law, economics, public administration and so on and the weakness of the authority should any such appointees leave, this certainly recommends itself to me. Moreover, it would be worthwhile, in time, to add to this to demonstrate to the public that not only are the people qualified but that they are chosen purely on the basis of qualification and that no hint of grace or favour is involved.

Unfortunately, Senator Quinn has left the Chamber. I wish to address the issue of carbon tax and competition. The Stern report on climate change identifies the latter as the greatest market failure in history. Essentially, we are externalising a cost on to the environment and it will cost us all far more than what the carbon tax currently constitutes. Fine Gael and the Labour Party recognise and agree with this and support the implementation of a carbon levy. The question is how one goes about it. Unlike countries such as France, Germany or Britain that have their own internal power sources, Ireland is 90% dependent on imported fossil fuels. This behaviour must be changed as a nation, as well as in respect of individual businesses and households and it is recognised that one methodology to so do is the introduction of levies that drive different choices regarding energy. As early responders to this issue, this will come to be seen as a measure that provided impetus and momentum to our economy becoming less energy dependent on imported fossil fuels, more self-sustaining and in the medium term, not even in the long term, becoming more energy efficient and therefore more competitive in respect of the output of its business community and manufacturing sectors.

There is an inherent logic to what has been done and it will make us more competitive although I do not disagree that it brings fair amounts of anger and discomfort. As the Minister of State is aware, I am in business and am grumbling too. At the same time however, I am examining the possibility of using the various schemes introduced by the Government to lessen my use of fuel and energy consumption and to negate the impact of a carbon tax while simultaneously making my business more competitive into the future. I wished to address that tangential issue that was introduced by Senator Quinn.

I refer to the issue of competition on this island between North and South. Great improvements in the competitiveness of the economy have been made on this side of the Border, which initially are becoming manifest in the retail sector, in which the position in towns along the Border is stabilising as price reductions of the order of 8% have stemmed the tide. Regrettably however, loss leaders still are being offered in the North, especially in the area of drink. Nevertheless, I believe that as the economy becomes more competitive, it also will become a more prosperous and productive place in which to do business.

The work of the authority must continue. I agree with Senator Phelan that its work in respect of suppliers and retailers is critical. Anecdotal evidence is legion regarding ways in which the supply chain is unfavourable to Ireland's smaller economy when compared with, for instance, that of our neighbour in Britain. I look forward to this authority, and the newly constituted authority that will emerge following its amalgamation with the National Consumer Agency, dealing with such issues in a vigorous manner.