Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I am glad that at last this debate is taking place. The process to bring key legislation in the 2007 programme for Government has been too long. That is an important point to raise when people talk about lack of consultation. This legislation was mentioned then and has been part of that consultation process. I refer to the history of climate change since the Kyoto summit of 1990 and the deal struck by the then Government. Ireland got an increase in its carbon emissions over that period but failed even to meet that target. That is part of the reason we are at this point, the reason there is a particular need for this legislation and why I am so disappointed Fine Gael has put forward this blocking mechanism in terms of where it wants to see this legislation proceed.

While I welcome the support of the Labour Party, I am particularly struck by how it thinks it can bring about stronger legislation in government given that it has a diametrically opposed view to Fine Gael. I also acknowledge that it is very curious that there are more speakers on the Government side on Government legislation. I suspect more of a negative tone than we have seen towards any other legislation in the history of this Government. That saddens me and I hope the Second Stage and the Committee Stage debates will put aside much of the ignorance that exists on this issue. I use the word "ignorance" very advisedly.