Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have to do everything we can. The Doha outcome streamlined the negotiating process, which is important. The Deputy asked about the possibility of raising this issue with our trading partners. There are opportunities for Ministers at various meetings abroad to raise such issues.

Much of this is about building political momentum. We have the means. The EU has significant goals in place and there are binding obligations on all member states. The Deputy will be aware work is ongoing on a climate change Bill, which is almost at the point where the heads of the Bill are ready for publication and discussion by the relevant committee. Sectoral adaptation plans will be prepared in a number of Departments in the context of the legislation that is being worked on. Within Ireland, we are working on our obligations and we are also working on engaging with our European partners. We also need to use our influence in the wider world because Europe only represents a small percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions. We have to work at local, European and international level but it is important that the Deputy raised the issue because it tends to come and go on the political agenda. It tends to get prominence from time to time and it is important to raise climate change on a regular basis.

President Obama referred to climate change in his speech yesterday at the inauguration of his second term as President of the United States. The United States is also a very large player. It is important that Deputy Dowds has raised the issue today.

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