Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State. While accepting the need to address climate change and reduce emissions, my party has reservations about this Bill. We are concerned it will tie our hands in ways that exceed the all-party recommendations of the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security. We should be hesitant in this regard. We have tabled an amendment which would not give the Bill a second reading because all-party consensus has not been reached on a greenhouse gas emission reduction strategy. We need to consult stakeholders properly.

I understand the reservations that Senator Ellis expressed about business and agriculture. We must be careful not to interfere with food production in this country, which is a growing sector. I remind Senators of the success of Kerry Group, Glanbia and Donegal Foods. If enacted, the Bill could curtail the activities of these important job sustaining companies. We must not shoot ourselves in the foot. I respect the well-meaning people who are behind this Bill. I do not think they necessarily want to do damage.