Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the environment policy priorities which will be considered for inclusion in the new programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25397/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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When the process and timeline for the review of the programme for Government are agreed, I will be discussing with my colleagues in government the environmental policy priorities which we will continue to pursue so as to ensure that the Government's ambitious agenda in this regard is delivered and indeed enhanced.

We have made significant progress on our environmental priorities in the two years since the current programme for Government was agreed. In particular, my primary motivation in entering government was to tackle the defining issue of climate change. We have now changed the nature of public discourse on this issue, through many areas of Government action, for example on energy efficiency, building standards, transport emissions and the annual carbon budget, and through our support for an ambitious EU climate policy and leadership role at wider international level. In order to address the climate challenge it is necessary that our policy and practical responses are consolidated and intensified in the period ahead.

The progress being made in many environmental areas, including waste management, where an international review is well advanced, water services, where major investment is being maintained at a time of budgetary constraint, enforcement and compliance, including through the resourcing of the EPA and my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service and the pursuit of sustainable development through strengthened planning under the new Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009, are all matters of record.

Overall, it is a firm objective of Government to work towards a clean and safe environment for all. In the context of the planned review of the programme for Government, I am confident that we will build on and strengthen the commitments and objectives already agreed so that the protection and enhancement of the quality of our environment remains at the centre of Government policy.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Arising from the Minister's reply I asked him if he has any specific priorities in the environment area for the review of the programme for Government but the Minister did not indicate any. I ask him to have another go at it and tell the House whether he has ideas which he would like to see in the review of the programme for Government. Has he a specific statement to make about process and timeline with regard to the output or outcome of these discussions? Will the result of the review of the programme for Government be put to the members of the Green Party in order to establish whether they agree or disagree with his version of events?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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As much as I would like to reveal to the Deputy the elements of the review, I think he will understand that these are matters for the respective parties in government and much of the review process will have to remain confidential and the process and the timeline have not yet been agreed. One aspect that has been flagged already and I have spoken about it is the idea of a climate change Bill. This is very close to the heart of many people in my own party and it is also a priority for many of the non-governmental organisations. Such a Bill would enshrine many of the elements we have already introduced, including the idea of a carbon budget. This may have to be refined and I am currently considering this matter.

For the past number of years the carbon budget has been announced directly after the budget speech. I am not sure if this is entirely appropriate because it tends to become overshadowed by the budget considerations. We will have to decide whether it should be held on the next day or a week later. These may be fairly minor elements but we have set up the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security which is chaired by one of the Deputy's colleagues. The sub-committee which directs discussions between the various Departments is chaired by the Taoiseach. This sub-committee aims to ensure that CO2 emissions can be reduced across all Departments. These are very important considerations but other elements relating to the environment include the progression of the issue of waste management and the very important question of the protection of our waterways and the question of septic tanks - which will be discussed later this afternoon - and a range of other issues. All these issues will be included in the discussions. I will be happy to keep the Deputy informed but as yet, we are going through what are called the modalities and the timeline has not been set.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The reason I asked the Minister to outline his priorities is because six weeks ago a review of the programme for Government was a very important issue when his colleague, Senator Boyle, floated the notion. He must have had a reason for doing so but obviously not so good a reason now that the elections have passed. In the run-up to the elections we needed something for the Greens to talk about but since the Minister has now outlined some of the ideas, I ask him whether the White Paper on local government reform will be published - although it is eight or nine months behind time - and will it be done in the context of the forthcoming Commission on Taxation report? What is the timescale for that report? The Minister has made one suggestion.

The Minister did not do that well in the previous programme for Government because 95% of it was copied and pasted from the Fianna Fáil manifesto. I am wondering where the big idea is or whether it will be more of the same over the next while. The climate change Bill is an interesting proposal. I note that my colleagues in the Labour Party have published a similar Bill and I have views on this subject. After two years in office I would have thought the Minister would have got agreement from his partners in government about a climate change Bill.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I have stated in the House on previous occasions that I believe there are flaws in the legislation as proposed by the Labour Party and I have outlined some of those flaws to the House. It is our intention to continue to strengthen environmental legislation. The Deputy asked about the White Paper on local government. I agree this will have to be published following the consultation with the Commission on Taxation which is due to report in July. It would not have made sense, frankly, to publish a White Paper on local government reform and not look at the issue of local government funding and the broadening of the revenue base for local government.

Today I am announcing the €200 charge for second homes which should be welcomed by the Deputy's party and other parties if they are serious about local government reform and the need to fund local government. Progress is being made on a broad range of issues. The review is taking place and it will be a very thorough review. I am confident it will strengthen environmental legislation.

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I now propose to take Question No. 24 as I am advised that Question No. 23 may be taken at the conclusion as the Deputy who tabled it is not in the House, if the Minister is agreeable.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I ask the Acting Chairman to remind me to answer Question No. 23 when the time comes.

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I will do my best.