Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Senator Lombard made a good point about the serious discussions and debates that are needed. The reality is that there will be far more of these storms in the future. The effects of such storms will extend beyond the telephone and electricity lines to the crops that are growing throughout this country. Senator Lombard is going to have to be realistic about these issues. We are part of the cause and part of the problem. Our transport and agriculture emissions are rising. I accept that strong improvements have been made in the agriculture sector. It has increased its output and its emissions. If we want a holistic discussion on the big picture, we need to have an honest debate with ourselves.We must show leadership on climate change. We have to reduce our emissions. We should not accept the idea that we are not going to reach our 2020 targets. We must have a realistic and positive discussion about the fuels we burn, how we generate our electricity and so forth. I look forward to the adoption of a more holistic approach, but people will have to leave their baggage at the door and start considering the bigger picture. We must consider the effects of climate change not only on west Cork and Dublin, but on the world. We can be leaders in that debate but we should aspire to be leaders by example rather than just leaders in making noise on the issue.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to table a Commencement matter relating to the fire service earlier. However, I ask the Acting Leader to raise the issue of Commencement matters with Minsters generally. I am concerned at the quality of the responses to important Commencement matters, including the one raised by Senator Byrne herself today. I do not think the officials are doing the Ministers any justice at all with the replies they are providing. I would very much appreciate it if the Leader of the House would raise that with Ministers. I am not simply referring to my own Commencement matter. Several Senators have raised this issue with me. I have looked at some of the responses they received and they are simply not good enough. We do not have the facility to table parliamentary questions and can only raise issues with Ministers through the Commencement matters debate. Ministers should be properly prepared and should provide the information that has been requested.