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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Carbon budgets and climate debate

Summary

The Taoiseach defended the planned debate time and said the carbon budget framework is set in law, while Deputies Naughten and McGrath objected to the format and accused the Government of imposing its approach. The exchange drifted into banter over whether the Taoiseach was 'dancing' to Minister Ryan’s tune.

First, in terms of Deputy Naughten's question, the carbon budget is provided for in legislation. In fairness, he would have heard Deputy Bacik say earlier that we are not moving fast enough. We have to move too. There are three and a half hours tomorrow for the debate. The more substantive debate could be on the actual sectoral budgets, which will come later in the year-----

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The Dáil has no say in that. The final decision is tomorrow.

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-----but it is very important that we set this overall limit. Let us be under no illusions, however. This will be very challenging. I anticipate more pushback from the Dáil. As I said earlier, as the UN Secretary-General said, there will be a lot of doublespeak on this. Many people will be saying that we need to do this and that but not yet, not now, not that way or to do it some other way.

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It is the Taoiseach's way or the highway.

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That is what is going to happen in this debate; of that I have no doubt. We have got to move ahead, however. There are three and a half hours for the debate tomorrow.

In terms of Deputy Mattie McGrath, I am nowhere near as a good dancer as he is. I have to put that on the record.

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I can dance to music. Whose tune is the Taoiseach dancing to? He is dancing to the tune of the globalists.

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The Taoiseach to answer, please.

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I would never attempt to emulate the Deputy in that regard.

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