Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator Mulcahy’s question, “What exactly is Sinn Féin for?”, was a fair one.

The second imperative is to increase the proportion of energy we derive from renewable sources. That is very clear. We have agreed as a binding target under EU law that at least 16% of all energy consumed must come from renewable sources by 2020. Those targets were hard-won. I believe passionately in environmental issues. I was one of the founder members of Friends of the Earth in Ireland and brought the first climate protection Bill to this House in 2007 as a Private Members' Bill. I am very proud that the Government is working on the Climate Change Bill. It is important that we stick to our targets for tackling climate change and carbon emissions. If we want to meet those targets, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and tackle the problem of fuel poverty, as mentioned in the Government amendment, we must develop the necessary infrastructure to do so. That is why it is deeply frustrating to hear the Sinn Féin members talk about their commitment to green energy and meeting our targets while opposing any plans to develop the infrastructure we need to meet those targets and produce energy sufficient for our purposes. That is where there is a gap of logic in the motion.