John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I welcome the opportunity to support the Government amendment and to set out for Members the work the Government consisting of Fianna Fáil and the Green Party has been advancing across a broad spectrum of issues to enhance and protect the environment.

A healthy environment is a prerequisite for a healthy society and economy. My party has had this viewpoint as a core value from the outset and has ensured that it is at the heart of Government policy. The protection of our environment is about more than Government policy. It is truly a collective, shared responsibility, which requires a significant degree of consensus if we are to achieve progress on the different issues and challenges that face us as a society. That type of collective approach has underpinned policy across a broad spectrum for several years. We are making substantial progress but we are not and cannot afford to be complacent because formidable challenges remain. Determination, targeted resources and well focused policy tools, supported by a strong commitment from all the stakeholders involved, are needed to maintain the momentum we have built.

Climate change is the biggest challenge facing humankind and Government policy is set out in the national climate change strategy. Ireland will meet its target for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol through a series of national measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, supplemented as necessary by the purchase of carbon units on the international market. Since 2007 when we entered government, we have introduced a series of fundamental measures aimed at transforming Ireland into a low-carbon economy and society. This transformation will take time, but it will make Ireland a healthier place and it will make our economy stronger, more competitive and more resilient to economic shocks from the outside.

The comprehensive measures introduced by the Green Party on climate change and renewable energy include a carbon levy, money from which has been used to fund renewable energy projects and reductions in employer taxes; a reform of our motor taxation system, saving car buyers in excess of €5,000 on fuel efficient cars, resulting in more than three quarters of new cars bought being low-emission cars; in excess of €100 million being spent on grant aid for people to insulate their homes; a set of energy policies which mean we are ahead of target in our aim to have 40% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2020; tax breaks for companies who buy energy efficient equipment; and tax breaks and incentives for research and development into new green technologies.

I listened to Senator Hannigan talking about the Copenhagen summit. If he were to listen to the people who spoke in Copenhagen and if he spoke to the NGOs, he would know that Ireland is seen as highly progressive on climate change. Many countries have not succeeded in introducing a carbon levy. It was abandoned by France which did not have the political courage to proceed. I say to Senator Bacik that I find it very difficult to stomach having to listen to this sort of rhetoric coming out and yet at the same time I look at leaflets from my constituency colleague, Deputy Quinn, having a go at me for introducing a carbon levy. I find that sort of speaking out of both sides of one's mouth totally and utterly reprehensible.