Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Climate change is widely recognised as the most fundamental and far-reaching environmental challenge to humanity, both globally and nationally.

Ireland has already signed up to meeting demanding legally binding targets for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol and under the climate and energy package agreed by the EU in December 2008. By 2020, this country will be required to achieve the equivalent of a 20% reduction on its 2005 levels of greenhouse gas emissions in the sectors of the economy not covered by the EU emissions trading scheme, ETS. This legally binding target will have to be met, irrespective of national climate legislation.

This poses a significant challenge for Ireland and will require a robust, whole-of-Government response. Any new legislation on climate change must encapsulate and give overarching support to the objectives and binding commitments at international level in the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and within the ambitious EU agenda.

In the reply to Question No. 56 of 17 May 2011, I set out my planned timetable for the implementation of the programme for Government commitment to publish climate legislation. I believe the timetable is appropriate, given the importance of ensuring a widely supported and robust national climate policy that provides a basis for meeting the serious challenges we face in the period to 2020 and beyond. I look forward to the constructive engagement of all parties in the House when I publish the consultation paper on climate legislation early next year.

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