It has been stated by the UK chief Government adviser that the greatest threat to global stability is climate change and not global terrorism, as President George W. Bush is in the habit of saying. Does the Taoiseach agree that perhaps the greatest threat to the Irish economy in the medium term is the current record price of oil, which at $41.50 a barrel in New York is the highest level in 21 years and appears set to rise?

Why does the Government continue to make a name for itself internationally as being responsible for exacerbating climate change on the first count and jeopardising the economy on the second count, given our reliance on oil? Why has the Government allowed Ireland to become the seventh most oil dependent and the most car dependent country in the world? Why has the Government not required, or even incentivised, the installation of renewable energy, particularly with 70,000 houses being built per annum? There is no incentive, VAT reduction, obvious grant or even encouragement for the installation of solar water heating on all the roof space which, in other countries, is seen as a resource for harnessing renewable energy.

Has the Taoiseach given this matter any serious thought, given that in the area of wind, we have just installed 70 MW in the past three years, giving a total of 214 MW? The Government's modest target of 620 MW to be installed by December 2004 looks unlikely to be achieved. Will the Taoiseach indicate whether that is at least a target which will be achieved in 2004, whether he intends to stand over that commitment or whether it is another series of well-meaning indications that he is supportive of dealing with this dependency on oil when the evidence suggests there is no such commitment and that there is exacerbation of the situation?

The Deputy has asked a number of questions. The Government is committed to the Kyoto targets that have been set down and which have worked. I answered questions from Deputy Sargent in the House recently on the national climate change strategy in which I outlined the measures that are included in that to ensure adequate reductions in greenhouse gases are in place to meet the obligations under Kyoto. I restate that. We have been working to put in place the necessary arrangements for participation in emissions trading. That structure is in place.

The Deputy asked about renewable energy. Sustainable Energy Ireland has set out its policies and targets and what it is endeavouring to achieve. The Government is funding it to undertake that work. We will soon decide on the total amount of CO2 allowances to allocate to large industrial sites and power generation stations under emissions trading.

I accept Deputy Sargent's point that, because of our growth in the past decade, compilation of the plan has been harder to achieve but, at the same time, we were one of the first countries to submit a plan and we have taken a lead on this position in the European Union. It is not correct to say we have stood back from this. That national allocation plan has been presented to the European Commission.

What the Deputy said about the increase in the cost of oil is a fact. The reasons for that are well known but that is why we are committed to the issues and policies set out by Sustainable Energy Ireland and towards which we should try to work in the case of renewable energy. We cannot make these changes in a short period, however, particularly when our economy has effectively doubled in a period of more than a decade.

The Taoiseach has answered questions I did not ask. We know about the Kyoto Protocol and his statements on that matter. He has repeated them often enough but we still have to see the evidence of compliance. My question was about the price of oil and this country's dependency on that particular resource. The Taoiseach said that the rise in price was a fact, but that is hardly news.

The question I asked was how that will be dealt with by the Government. Will it simply be accepted as tough luck and that the economy can effectively consume oil to the point of going into recession or is there any clear commitment by the Government about which the Taoiseach can inform us which would, for example in the case of Germany and Denmark, involve much more ambitious targets for renewable energy such as wind, biomass and wave power? Is it not unacceptable that renewables contribute about 1.8% of total energy requirement in Ireland in 2002 whereas Germany and Denmark are dealing with factors of 20% and continue to strive much higher?

Is the Taoiseach not ashamed that this country has such a resource and that it could be much less dependent on oil and much more successful in staving off the large fines that are bound to kick in between emissions trading and the Kyoto Protocol? Will he give any indication as to whether he will reduce VAT on solar power in regard to roof space, for example, given that we are building approximately 70,000 houses per annum without any incentive to make use of that roof space? Is there anything tangible the Government can say to reduce our dependency on oil?

I was simply accepting the point the Deputy made about the price of oil. As he knows well, there is a premium on renewable energy. It is not just a question of being able to change our targets. It is a substantial premium and that makes it more difficult.

Oil would be more expensive

It is our policy to promote sustainable energy. Significant resources have been allocated to deal with this issue and we are committed to it.

The applications already made with regard to wind energy——

This is more hot air.

The Deputy should allow the Taoiseach to speak without interruption. The Green Party submitted a question, which was in order. The Taoiseach is entitled to reply and the Green Party is not entitled to use the Taoiseach's time as well as its own.

On a point of order, we did not say a word.

There are three Members from the Green Party present. We have been listening attentively for any words of wisdom from the Taoiseach and we are still waiting for them.

The applications before us bring us up to our target percentage for wind energy already. Our policy, as set out by Sustainable Energy Ireland, is to promote renewable energy. One cannot change things overnight. There is a significant premium on that issue.

I have also set out our policy on the Kyoto Protocol and the national climate change strategy. Far from taking a relaxed position, Ireland is the first country to have taken this position and used it in our Presidency. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has been to the fore in developing the national allocation plan and we have submitted our plan. I do not accept the claim that we are not taking a lead in this area.

We were the first country to do that. The Deputy might acknowledge this.

The evidence is not there.