Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

The Government's Bill sets out a valuable framework to enable all sectors of the economy to be adequately prepared to comply with future international agreements on climate change. It will ensure Ireland will consider all options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. Importantly, it will ensure that when the Government publishes a national plan, we will choose policies that will retain Ireland's economic competitiveness.

A series of provisions are contained in the Bill to ensure the twin goals of competitiveness and economic growth will be central to all measures to tackle climate change. We must look on this legislation as boosting rather than hampering economic activity. It will help to protect the economy and our society in the long term. The one thing the poorest people on the planet can bequeath to those who will follow them is a clean and healthy environment.

The legislation makes sound economic as well as environmental sense. We must look at the two as going hand in hand rather than threatening each other. While it is an enormous challenge, it is one that can also bring opportunities as we look for ways to reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels. With the renewed high cost of oil, everyone will be aware of this factor.

The low carbon economy will also see the development of new industrial sectors using the new clean technologies to create jobs and develop new sources of economic growth. As the Minister of State, Deputy Cuffe, pointed out, the legislation will send a clear signal to the rest of the world that Ireland is a prime location for availing of long-term economic investment opportunities, a development all Members will welcome.

The Government has a strong track record in putting Ireland at the forefront of the international response in combating climate change. This is a unique selling point, one which will be advantageous to our economic recovery. Last October the Environmental Protection Agency warned that without the economic recession, Ireland would have been a long way from its Kyoto Protocol targets for 2013. While greenhouse gas emissions have decreased, as we move towards economic recovery and production levels begin to increase, it is important to ensure climate change policy complements our national recovery plan. We cannot rely on a recession to reduce our emission targets.

Greenhouse gas levels in 2009 fell by 5.4 million tonnes to 62.32 million tonnes, largely as a result of the economic slowdown. For the first time reductions were recorded across all categories, including industry and commercial, energy, transport, agriculture, residential and waste.

The Bill poses absolutely no threat to the sustainability of agriculture. If it did, I would have great difficulty in supporting it. The agriculture sector should not be afraid of it. To its credit, it has already delivered substantial reductions in emissions without impacting on its profitability. The checks and balances contained in the legislation will ensure Ireland will meet its commitments while ensuring its agriculture sector continues to thrive.

During European and international negotiations Ireland has been to the fore in ensuring agricultural issues are considered at all times. It has highlighted the threat posed by carbon leakage to ensure food production using sustainable agricultural practices in such countries as Ireland is not replaced by food production using less sustainable and more environmentally damaging methods elsewhere.

A substantial amount of Government funding has been put into research at various institutions, including Teagasc, to develop farming practices and technology which will help to reduce emissions from the agriculture sector. The Food Harvest 2020 report placed a strong emphasis on the sustainability of agricultural production and the importance of avoiding carbon leakage. Ireland's commitment to the principles of sustainability and the implementation of world class environmental practices will present a real marketing opportunity and a unique selling point for the country. It presents an opportunity to engage in the positive branding of Ireland and its products as green and clean. For example, the quality of our beef production is unrivalled in any other part of the world. This can be achieved through transparent methods of food production and full traceability. I like to think when I buy any meat product, be it mutton, beef or pork, that it can be traced to an Irish location.

These policies emphasise the importance of an integrated approach to the emissions and sequestration from agriculture, forestry and natural ecosystems. Agricultural and forestry policies must address the major potential for increased sequestration from farmed land, forestry and perennial energy crops.

We can all do our bit to ensure reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. For example, purchasing a motor car with lower emissions is one step. Like Coffey, last year I bought such a car,. The Government has rewarded consumers in making such a choice. The road tax payable on my new car came to €104 per year, while the figure for my previous was nearly €700.

I commend the Bill to the House.