Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 96 together.

The programme for Government indicates the Government will mandate the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to present an outline carbon report in conjunction with the annual financial budget. As the programme for Government suggests, the content of a carbon budget will be a matter for the Government to decide.

As the Deputy is aware my colleague, Deputy John Gormley, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has primary responsibility for the issue of climate change and so will have a major input into the establishment and configuration of the carbon budget. My Department will consult the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on all aspects of this.

The data collated for the carbon budget will be obtained from several agencies. Accordingly, it may take some time to put all this data together. The Government will consider the parameters of a carbon budget and will report in due course.

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