Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, Ireland's Presidency of the European Union and the Environment Council meeting on 17 December. I propose we discuss the two topics together.

Cuirim fáilte roimh the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan; Mr. John McCarthy, assistant secretary, environment division, and Mr. Pat Macken, principal officer, environment, international and sustainable development division, on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Go raibh maith agaibh as teacht i láthair. The Minister will be aware of the rules on the norms that apply to members about parliamentary privilege and I will not go into them.

The forthcoming Presidency of the European Union is important for Ireland as a country, particularly in terms of rebuilding the reputation. However, for us, as a committee, there are some important and pertinent areas that I would like to see dealt with in the context of Ireland's Presidency.

One of the foremost issues is climate change. The committee can play an important role in climate change policy at European level and that opportunity rests on all of us in the committee, whether one is a Member of the Lower or Upper House. I would like to see the Minister take a lead role, for example, in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the global warming issue. We can take the lead on that. We are ideally placed as an island nation, with a rich maritime history. There is significant potential in terms of renewable energy such as wind energy and on issues with which the Minister is well acquainted.

The Seventh Environment Action Programme is the next big European issue. It will set our environmental agenda until 2020. Among other matters, it will provide guidelines for the management of the Europe Union's natural resources and it will influence the resources we use and how we will use them.

A significant issue is the debate about the use of shale gas and I would like to see us establish a position in that regard. Can we establish, for example, whether there are cleaner, more easily accessible alternative resources, and if not, why? How important is that in terms of developing the alternative? What stance should we as a country take on that issue?

Another issue is housing, not only in terms of how it might impact on us individually in our different areas but in terms of a European-wide approach to issues such as retrofitting. It is significant work. There is a significant function in that regard for the committee in its work in 2013.

The redevelopment of town centres is a critical issue. It is critical to the economic recovery of many town centres and it is good in terms of reigniting the hearts of communities. I would like to see that being pursued in our agenda in the context of the Presidency.

These are important issues, but there are others. Members will have views in that regard. I would remind members of the two issues we are discussing. I would urge them not to stray from them and to keep their contributions germane to those two topics. I call on the Minister to address the committee.