Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I know Deputy Ellis was not a Member of the last Dáil, but I remind him that we have much ground to make up in terms of bringing people together after the unnecessary divisiveness that my predecessor created on this issue. I have asked my Department to take stock of our position on climate change. On foot of a commitment contained in the National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012, the Department is in the process of developing a national climate change adaptation framework, which is an important step. It will help to position Ireland in the debate but it will also help us adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change that the Deputy mentioned.

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