Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My apologies. A company employing 50 is still very small. I am not opposing what the Senators are doing but we need time. We need to have proper discussions and consult the industry more. I return to the point that Ireland has now set really solid targets for the reduction of emissions. That is what we have to do. We all acknowledge that. I am sure we can all work together on a process that will ensure we can make further progress. I am sure good will come from this Bill. There are provisions in it that I agree with, but I have a concern. Even when Senator talks about business with more than 50 employees, she should remember that if we put more pressure on many such businesses up and down the country, they might say there are going to get out of employing people in this country.We, therefore, need the correct balance.

As for trucks and all the emissions they produce, yes, we have to make huge improvements, but it should always be remembered that we are an island country and we will always need transport.