Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Much progress has been made on the climate change Bill. I am not a person who is holding up the Bill. I hope I have been helpful in ensuring that we have been able to come forward with a good Bill. This type of legislation will be unprecedented in an Irish context and it is therefore essential to ensure that the drafting process is comprehensive. I am satisfied that significant progress is being achieved and I would expect that the Bill should be published shortly. Much work and discussion has gone into it. Far from holding it up, I have been using my good offices to try to resolve matters and bring matters forward, as, I think, Deputy McManus would expect me to in my position.

On the question of impact assessment, that is a matter that has to be considered.

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