Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)

As I was, unfortunately, not able to be present for the entire debate, I had a good discussion during the vote in the Dáil with my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Cuffe, who briefed me on what had happened here. As a Green Party Deputy, tackling climate change is a key issue for me and my party. I thank Senators for their contributions, in particular the two Senators present, Senators Brady and Hannigan. I welcome their input and the general recognition in the Houses of the Oireachtas of the critical responsibility to address climate change. We all know that it is the greatest moral imperative of our time that we introduce a climate change Bill because the effects of such change have been devastating across the world, in particular in low-lying countries. It is important also that we recognise that Ireland has existing legal obligations in respect of greenhouse gas emissions. The key purpose in enacting climate change legislation in Ireland would be to establish what I would call the architecture needed to achieve the objectives of binding EU and legal agreements.

Senator Quinn raised the issue of climate scientism. John Kenneth Galbraith said, "When faced with the choice of changing one's mind proofing, there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof." The reality is that the science is unequivocal. However, complex truths which challenge the status quo and the perceived consensus wisdom are often vulnerable to symbolism. However, even the most ardent sceptic cannot deny that business as usual is no longer an option for any of us and that future economic and employment opportunities will be delivered in low carbon, resource efficient green economies. We are entering a new era in which energy prices are likely to increase significantly. We also want to make sure the economy, our businesses, small towns, villages and communities are protected from the effects of climate change. We can, therefore, positively embrace change and reap the economic, social and environmental benefits or let the major advances in transition pass us by.

Addressing climate change and energy security are two sides of the same coin. As we know, Ireland is one of the countries most dependent on fossil fuels. As a consequence, the economy and our society are acutely vulnerable to energy price inflation. The International Energy Agency has warned that by 2015, oil supply could face difficulties to keep abreast with increasing demand, leading to further increases in oil prices and potentially shifting the global economic recovery. Domestically sourced energy such as renewable energy brings major benefits in terms of reduced reliance on those imports. Ireland, due to geography and climate, has among the highest potential for renewables anywhere in the world and we need to boost that still further to develop these industries here at home. I note the remarks of Senators in the debate.

Carbon prices are likely to remain low for the foreseeable future, acting as a disincentive for change and innovation. Within this context, the requirement for strong, legally binding targets enshrined in primary legislation is clear. A strong climate change strategy will act as a critical force for modernisation and a keen catalyst for transition to an energy-secure, low-carbon society.

I say to Senator Hannigan that we are working hard to bring the Bill to the House, dotting the "i"s and crossing the "t"s, and ensuring it is fit for debate when it comes into the House. I understand it is with the Attorney General.

There is a widespread international consensus that the development of resource efficient and green technologies will be the major economic driver of the new century. As countries worldwide seek to boost their economies in the economic crisis through stimulus packages, there is a clear pattern of investment being directed towards infrastructure for less polluting transport. I note Senator Hannigan's remarks about the east coast transport corridor, but we also must not forget rural transport. Rural transport is incredibly difficult. As a rural Deputy and Minister, I know how difficult it is for people to leave the car at home and get public transport in rural areas. I hope in the budget we can maintain support for rural transport.

As countries worldwide seek to boost their economies in the economic crisis through stimulus packages, as I stated, we must ensure we cut down on those emissions. With intelligent traffic management systems, low-carbon energy production, smart electricity grids, clean transport and energy related research and development, clear signs of transition towards a low-carbon economy are emerging across the world. We must ensure we tap into that potential to create a considerable number of jobs in our country through public transport, retrofitting of houses, the green economy, the smart economy and the digital economy.

The attractiveness index now cites the United States, especially those states with renewable portfolio standards, and China as the best investment opportunity for renewable energy, but we in this country have vast resources. Whether it is deep geothermal heating, wind energy or wave energy, we must tap into that. My colleague, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, is doing his best to push that boat out as much as he can.

Ireland has some unique geographic, climatic and human capital advantages on which to capitalise within this new global economic reality. Global competitiveness is fierce, however, and China, India and the United States have moved rapidly from lagging positions to being the international forerunners and principal global players. The United States is aiming to double its renewable energy generation by 2012. In 2009, China topped the global league table for wind power. Chinese and Indian wind turbines now appear in the top ten. We are moving towards the manufacture in Ireland of concrete wind turbines rather than importing them from other countries, and I welcome that new initiative.

The global green technology sector is expected to grow by at least 10% per annum over the medium to long term and in the context of securing national economic recovery, Ireland can ill afford to be left behind. We, in Government, and especially the Green Party, are pushing that forward to create those jobs to help us out of the economic tough times we are in at present.

Numerous high level business interests have called for the urgent enactment of strong climate change legislation to provide the long-term certainty to business and industry to give them the confidence to enable them to make the long-term investment decisions necessary to capitalise on the new economic opportunities within the global transition to a low-carbon economy which is under way. Within the prevailing stressed global economic environment, one of the key deterrents to making investments is the absence of regulatory certainty as to the future direction of public policy. The introduction of strong climate change legislation will send a clear signal to the global investment and business community that the direction of public policy in Ireland is unambiguous and that Ireland is a prime location for long-term investment. The certainty needed can only be provided through primary legislation.

I thank everyone in the Seanad and address a remark to Senator Hannigan about his forthcoming meeting to encourage business. I have been trying to make Carlow the first green energy town in Ireland for the past five years and have met numerous investors. I travelled to the town of Güssing in Austria, which the Senator should visit if he has not been there previously. It is a prime example of a town which was down on its luck, with no employment at all and whose young people were leaving, coming back to full employment through biogas plants, bio-fuel plants and cutting edge technology. I suggest he Google it on the web. Güssing in Austria is the most fantastic example of what can be done when one is down on one's luck. I have been there and seen it for myself, and I am trying to move my home town of Carlow into that sphere where farmers, business people, investors and other local people can create jobs and where, importantly in this day and age, our young people can tap in to these cutting edge technologies. In Senator Hannigan's part of the world, there is an IT college and good third level institutions. We also have that in Carlow. I want to ensure that all of us, not only Carlow but also the constituencies represented by Senators Hannigan and Brady, can tap in to this to ensure that with good climate change legislation we can bring good economic prospects.

I thank everyone in the House who spoke. I look forward to bringing forward comprehensive climate change legislation on behalf of my colleagues, the Minister, Deputy Gormley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Cuffe. I believe we will have that legislation shortly. This has not been a political points scoring debate. It is important to have cross-party support for what I have said because it is the greatest moral imperative of our time.