Mark Dearey (Green Party)

One of the core principles of the Green Party's philosophy revolves around the concept of living within limits and in a sustainable manner. This means that, in the context of business, transport and production, we must recognise that there are environmental limits which apply. The Green Party also believes that economics also involves respecting limits. While it may have been the intention that the Stability and Growth Pact should provide such limits, it is clear that this pact has been dealt with in a quite casual way since the establishment of the euro. Many countries were allowed to stray outside the terms of the Stability and Growth Pact. In the case of Ireland, adherence to the limits to which I refer has contributed to creating the awful situation in which we find ourselves.

It is terrible to see how Ireland is being described in the international media at present. Not all of the criticism being levelled at the country is without foundation. However, as pointed out on Time magazine's website this lunchtime, some of this criticism is the result of a campaign of bullying. We must recognise that there are limits which must be respected. The latter comes instinctively to someone such as me, particularly as I am associated with a party which builds its ideas around the concept of sustainability. We must restore a level of sanity and build on our natural advantages.

One of the advantages, which was not promoted as well as could have been the case in some of the more positive articles I have read in recent days, is our ability to become self-sufficient from the point of view of energy. Ireland could reach a position where it would be able to export nine times the amount of energy it needs. Senator Butler referred to one company in this regard in recent days. However, this project is far bigger and encompasses a much broader agenda than merely concentrating on the efforts of a single company.

If we can focus on the positive concept to which I refer, we will create the basis on which to build an extremely sustainable country which would not be obliged to overreach itself and which could find the wherewithal to survive into the future from within its own resources. It should be a core part of any debate on the future shape of the economy.