David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The most astonishing thing about yesterday's budget is that there was no change to the carbon tax regime, despite that Ireland is among the world's worst polluters per capita. It looks to me like the Government, like Nero, is fiddling while not just Rome but the planet is burning. There is a sense of the imminent possibility of catastrophe.Small oceanic island communities are threatened with disappearance and complete submergence under the waters of the ocean.

Former President Mary Robinson spoke very powerfully on RTÉ radio yesterday and she warned that we could be into a catastrophic spiral, where things get completely out of control and nothing can be done. We have, roughly, a ten-year window of opportunity to do something and governments all over the world, including in Ireland, need to be responsible and take the appropriate measures. As Mary Robinson said, it will be for the children - not mine because I do not have any, but others’ - and for humanity.

I am very glad the Leader called for a minute's silence in memory of the tragedy of the RMS Leinster, one of the worst maritime tragedies of the First World War. It was appropriate that Seanad Éireann commemorated this in the dignified way it did. I believe Senator Boyhan took a particular interest in this matter and raised it yesterday on the Order of Business.