I am very pleased to respond to the debate on the Carbon Budget 2011 and I wish to thank the Members of the Opposition for their contributions.

Today is one of the most important days in the current Dáil term and one of the most rewarding days for the Green Party in Government.  We have debated climate change issues many times in this House but today we have laid the foundations to elevate climate policy to the level of a key national priority.  That Ceann Comhairle, is a milestone in terms of the future well-being and prosperity of the people of this country.

In his carbon budget statement the Minister stated that “our success as an economy and a society in the low-carbon world of tomorrow will be determined by the preparations, commitment and effort that we are prepared to invest in underpinning our response to climate change”.  We are now on course to ensure that all new policies introduced, right across the economy, will be both economically and environmentally sustainable in the long term.

The Climate Change Bill will go well beyond simply responding to climate change.  It will provide the impetus for transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient, environmentally sustainable and climate resilient society.  As well as being a progressive and innovative way forward for Ireland, it will be consistent with the direction in which EU policy is expected to develop under the 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive development.  I expect that it will also be consistent with the anticipated EU climate policy roadmap for 2050 which the European Commission is expected to bring forward early next year.

In terms of other national priorities, effective transition will not just complement, it will enhance our own pursuit of world leader status in the Green Tech sector.  Following on from the introduction of the Carbon Tax, the Climate Change Bill will significantly enhance our credentials a progressive society, committeed to economic growth that ensures the well-being of our people and the protection of our environment.

An important aspect of the Climate Change Bill 2010 is the recognition that adaptation and mitigation are essential elements in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change.  The Bill will make important provisions in relation to adaptation planning.  In anticipation, the Minister will shortly be publishing the National Adaptation Framework.  It will be the first step towards the development of a National Adaptation Plans. 

The objective of the framework document is to build awareness of the need to adapt and to improve the understanding of the consequences that will arise from the impacts of climate change.  Taking adaptive action is not just a matter for central Government it is the responsibility of, inter alia, local government, citizens, business and owners of critical infrastructure.  It is important that we work together to form a coordinated, well planned and sustainable approach to dealing with the impacts of climate change.

Last week I addressed the 16th Conference of the Parties at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico. Over the two week period 12,000 participants from 193 countries gathered to discuss the urgent need for global action on Climate Change.

The aim of COP 16 was simple – to put the UNFCC process back on track after the severe set back in Copenhagen last year. I am glad to report that, despite limited expectations, COP 16 was a success with, for the first time, all of the major players including the USA, Russia, China and Europe, signing up to the ‘Cancun Agreements’. Bolivia was the only country to oppose the agreement – on the basis that it did not go far enough.

The comprehensive agreement confirms the recognition and shared vision of all of the parties of the urgent need to address climate change and to limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius and if possible 1.5 degrees, enhanced action on adaptation including a new Green Fund which aims to provide $100 billion in funding to developing countries by 2020, action on forestry and the need for developed counties to develop nationally appropriate mitigation commitments.

In my speech to COP 16 I quoted the Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko who once wrote "The young ... will not forgive in us what we forgave." That is why in Government, and as outlined by Minister Gormley, the Green Party has taken strong action on addressing Climate Change. It is critical that that for the future prosperity of our country that we continue to transition to a low-carbon climate resilient environmentally sustainable economy.

In addition to the comprehensive to the Climate Change Bill which has been outlined here today I also wish to advise the house that the Government has also agreed that the Cabinet Handbook will be amended to provide for climate change proofing of all future proposals being submitted to Government.

Today's Carbon Budget underpins the Green Party commitment to tackle climate change.  It puts pay to any perception that the climate change agenda has slipped in terms of priority due to the economic downturn; the need to emerge from the current economic recession on a basis that is sustainable in both economic and environmental terms is an absolute priority.