Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

May I ask the Taoiseach two questions? This year, the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, Deputy Seán Barrett, and the committee produced a worthy offshore renewable energy development Bill. However, it has not appeared on the Government's implementation agenda. Does the Government intend to include it, in light of its importance in terms of jobs and potential development?

No. 51 on the Government list is a climate change Bill. The Government will be sending representatives to the Copenhagen conference, but the Bill is not expected to be published until 2010. In light of the importance attached to climate change and its implications by the EU, in view of the statements of Ministers in the House and if we are serious about these matters, will the Bill's production be given extra priority?

Yesterday, I mentioned the Committee of the Regions to the Taoiseach. Since the current committee's remit has ended, will the Taoiseach have consultations on a fairer and more representative membership of the new committee, given the change in numbers arising from how people voted in the June elections?

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