October 17, 2011 View all news I came across this thoughtful and constructive speech on the importance of climate legislation and the progress that was made in building all-party agreement in the last Dáil. It was made in reponse to Minister John Gormley's last Carbon Budget speech on 16th December last year.How quickly can you identify who made it?--Statements on the carbon budget allows Parliament to reflect on the progress, or otherwise, being made in various sectors in meeting the target to reduce carbon emissions by 3% annually as set out in the programme for Government three and a half years ago. Some progress has been made but some of it was probably due to the circumstances of the economic downturn.I agree with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government that global transition is essential and inevitable. [Name of the TD's party] supports the principles outlined by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources at the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security to achieve certain objectives in this regard. We have no option but to proceed in implementing various changes in policy that will assist meeting our climate change targets.Some time ago, [name of the TD's party] published its policy document, [name of policy document], which will contribute substantially to this debate. We want to make the big change in policy so that we can fundamentally change the nature of the economy to a competitive low-carbon one. [name of the TD's party] has embraced the revolution in the green technology sector with [this policy] document. While the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government was originally critical of some of its proposals, I note some of them found their way into the EU-IMF programme such as a single utility company for water supply. It is interesting outsiders appreciated this more than insiders.[This policy document's] proposals are finding resonance not just in meeting national objectives such as a good quality water supply or broadband network, but also as solutions in assisting economic recovery and tackling fiscal deficit. The detailed plans contained in the policy document would create a substantial number of jobs in the economy. The investment in the new green technology would see significant State intervention with the semi-State sector investing rapidly in vital arteries of the economy that badly need investment. This, in turn, would have a major impact in reducing carbon emissions in areas of energy and communications. [name of policy document] provides the kick-start and incentivisation needed for the citizen in order to create employment and meet climate change objectives. It will also help in restructuring the semi-State sector.[Name of the TD's party] is committed to government leading the way by using domestically produced biomass to heat and power public buildings which currently use €300 million worth of imported fossil fuels every year. Irish broadband speeds remain far behind our economic competitors and urgent investment to roll out fibre optic broadband is necessary if we are to develop a clean knowledge economy.As a former member of the climate change committee, the Minister of State, Deputy Ciaran Cuffe, will be aware it produced a draft climate change Bill under the chairmanship of Deputy Seán Barrett 18 months ago. The legislation highlighted to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government that an all-party approach could be taken on this issue. I acknowledge that after three and a half years in government, the Green Party has made a major contribution to the climate change debate. Next week, the Green Party Ministers will announce a climate change Bill which is excellent progress. I know it was not easy for the Ministers to pursue this matter through Cabinet because it is an area with many vested and conflicting interests. [Name of the TD's party] will be as a constructive as always in the climate change committee when the Bill comes before it. The bona fides in this regard of Deputy Coveney, Fine Gael's main spokesperson on the committee, were best exemplified with his publication of a report on electric cars for the committee.Recent reductions in emissions were only achieved because of the massive reduction in economic output. There has, however, been little improvement in energy consumption patterns. Government policies have not made a dent in the €6 billion worth of fossil fuels imported every year to feed our cars, homes and electricity grid. This is an area in which more progress could easily be made. It is not economically and environmentally sustainable to continue along this particular path. We will face significant problems with energy security if we do not tackle these imports.While there are often mixed views about economists' reports and the Minister has had occasion to chastise the ESRI on some of its, they do provide a policy discussion opportunity. Its report on the energy and environment published this week presented a current state of play and reductions on the Government's carbon budget process and policy. It stated Ireland will likely meet its Kyoto targets only because of the severe recession and not because of any change in policy. I accept that is somewhat harsh. Some policy changes have made a contribution to emissions reduction. However, there will be other challenges in transport and agriculture, which the Minister highlighted, which will provide an opportunity for more detailed debate on what the ESRI and others are thinking in this regard.We are out of step trying to meet our 2020 targets with the result we will have to purchase carbon permits abroad at great expense to the taxpayer. Why not implement policy changes to ensure we do not have to do this, particularly when we have a ten-year lead in and the Government is under enough financial pressure as it is?Fine Gael will continue to be constructive on this policy matter. Obviously, it must wait for the publication of the climate change Bill but it already has a plan to reduce the national carbon footprint. Notwithstanding people's concerns that certain aspects of a reduction programme may be difficult to implement, the national policy priority that will be encompassed in the forthcoming climate change Bill will get a fair hearing in the House.--The speaker was, of course, Phil Hogan TD, then Fine Gael enviornment spokesperson. I was in the public gallery that day and remember being impressed by the genuineness of his remarks and his acknowledgement of the progress Gormley had made on the issue in the face or considerable resistance. I look forward to his first Carbon Budget speech as Minister for the Environment this December.You can read the proceedings of the Carbon Budget debate last December here. Categorised in: Climate Change