Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Stanley and Lawless for their kind comments.

The programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a national dialogue on climate change. This builds on the commitment in the energy White Paper to establish a national energy forum to maximise and maintain consensus on the broad policy measures set out in the White Paper required to ensure the transition to a low-carbon energy future.

It is my intention that the national dialogue on climate change will encompass not only the role envisaged for the national energy forum but also a wider focus to include the examination of key infrastructural, land use, security of supply and economic issues that need to be addressed in the long-term transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient future.

It is important the national dialogue on climate change reflects the views of all stakeholders, including communities, non-governmental organisations, business and the wider Departments and State agencies. The briefing document on Ireland's first national mitigation plan, which I published on 1 February, and the formal consultation on the draft plan, which will commence in mid-March, are integral parts of the dialogue. I also intend to initiate a further consultation later this year on Ireland's national adaptation framework, which will also form part of the dialogue, to address our national response in dealing with the impact of climate change.

I will announce full details of the national dialogue on climate change shortly. The initial allocation of €350,000 has been made in 2017 towards the dialogue.

I can understand why Deputy Lawless says we are in February and there is no sign of the national dialogue but I must smile to myself because Deputies Stanley and Sherlock, who have been around this House an awful lot longer, would be able to explain that 2017 could be 31 December 2017. That date would still comply with the commitment set out in the programme for Government. However, it is not my intention to establish the national dialogue only on 31 December. We have had a number of priority issues within the Department. It was important to get these documents published in advance of commencing the dialogue, but it is my intention to try to move forward with the dialogue as quickly as possible and try to facilitate as much constructive debate across this country as possible.

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