Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 2: To ask the Taoiseach the reasons the Cabinet sub-Committee on Climate Change did not meet as planned on 6 October 2010; when this Committee is to meet next. [38721/10]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The planning meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security did not take place on 6 October to allow work to continue at official level on a number of issues, which were subsequently brought before a full meeting of the Government. The next meeting of the Cabinet committee has not yet been scheduled.

It would be incorrect to correlate the number of meetings of the Cabinet committee with the Government's commitment to tackling and addressing the climate change and energy security issues. The Government has been meeting frequently and full consideration has been given to climate change and energy security issues where appropriate.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government retains lead responsibility for climate change policy, with cross-departmental issues co-ordinated through the senior officials group on climate change and energy security chaired by my Department.

I am satisfied that significant progress is being achieved and that the issues are receiving the appropriate level of attention. Any specific questions on climate change issues should be put down to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, or other Minister if appropriate.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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What is the point in having a Cabinet sub-committee on climate change? It does not meet, nothing is happening, there is no Bill and there are no results. At this stage the Taoiseach might consider abandoning the project of having a Cabinet sub-committee dealing with climate change but never meeting.

I ask the Taoiseach to explain what the hell is going on. When we had a debate in this House on climate change we were promised, and, indeed, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government subsequently tweeted that day, that heads of the Bill would be published on the following Tuesday, 13 November. All we got was a tweet; we did not get heads of the Bill. Would the Taoiseach tell us exactly why the heads of the Bill did not materialise? Is it true, as has been said, that the Taoiseach's Department is holding up this legislation?

While he is replying, would he also indicate, because I have been trying to find out and it seems the Taoiseach is only person who might answer this, who is responsible for the programme for Government commitment to ensure a climate change impact assessment is taken into account for all Cabinet decision making? When I put down a parliamentary question to any Minister, or even the Taoiseach, I am told that I will not get a reply because it impinges on the principles of Cabinet confidentiality. The Government has a commitment in the programme for Government but it will not tell us anything about it because the Government is protected by the bulwark of Cabinet confidentiality. That is not proper Government. Maybe the Taoiseach would answer the question of who is supposed to be doing this and how is it being done.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Does the Taoiseach tweet?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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No, like yourself.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is important before the Taoiseach replies to state on this matter that the line Minister has responsibility for any legislation. Is the Taoiseach prepared to take it in a general way?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Absolutely, I would likely to be as helpful as possible at all times.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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What has come over the Taoiseach?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Sorry?

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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What has come over the Taoiseach at all?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I looked over at Deputy Jim O'Keeffe and I said, "What a wonderful day."

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thought bare-knuckled boxing was outlawed.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Much progress has been made on the climate change Bill. I am not a person who is holding up the Bill. I hope I have been helpful in ensuring that we have been able to come forward with a good Bill. This type of legislation will be unprecedented in an Irish context and it is therefore essential to ensure that the drafting process is comprehensive. I am satisfied that significant progress is being achieved and I would expect that the Bill should be published shortly. Much work and discussion has gone into it. Far from holding it up, I have been using my good offices to try to resolve matters and bring matters forward, as, I think, Deputy McManus would expect me to in my position.

On the question of impact assessment, that is a matter that has to be considered.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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By whom exactly?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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By Cabinet.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Nobody seems to be responsible.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Where there is an impact on climate change in respect of an issue, it can be considered by Cabinet. Line Departments, as Deputy McManus will be aware, make their observations on every proposal that comes to Government.

The important point, from our point of view, is that in respect of the Bill itself much progress has been made and I would be hopeful that the Bill would be published shortly.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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I thank the Taoiseach for his answer. He clearly stated he is not responsible for holding up the legislation-----

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Neither is anyone else.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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I would be grateful if he would indicate who exactly is responsible for holding up the legislation.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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There is no-one responsible for holding it up.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Is the Taoiseach stating then that the Minister, Deputy Gormley, was misleading the public? He made a very clear statement on the web. He stated, in his twitter, that heads of the Bill would be published on Tuesday, 13 November. He did it under pressure and we all understand political pressure, but that does not excuse a clear statement that was issued for the public. Many welcomed it and took him at his word. Is the Taoiseach now saying that we should not take the Minister at his word?

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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It might be better pursue this with the line Minister.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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It seems that one can say anything. If one is a Minister, one can say what one likes but it does not have to be true. Maybe the Taoiseach would reply on who is holding up the legislation and on why the Minister, Deputy Gormley, made a commitment to the public which turns out to be untrue.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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A significant aspect of that question should be directed to the line Minister.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I have given some information for which the Deputy is welcome. There is merely a bit of political point scoring going on now. The relevant point is that at the end of the day all Ministers are proceeding as quickly as they can with the legislation. The Minister is committed to this legislation and the Government is anxious to ensure that we proceed correctly and get this legislation done. As I stated, it is an unprecedented piece of legislation in an Irish context. It is not a question of merely drafting up sections 1, 2 and 3, as Deputy McManus will appreciate based on the work in which the committee of which she is a member has been involved.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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We delivered the goods. We did what we had to do.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy McManus is just doing a bit of point scoring now. I have given the information, which is what Question Time is about. If she wants to ask a question of Deputy Gormley and try to score a point on some date perhaps she should put it directly.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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We will move on-----

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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A brief supplementary-----

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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We have spent much time on this and it is-----

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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I wish to ask a brief supplementary because I did not ask it subsequently, and I should have. The Taoiseach stated the Cabinet must consider the climate change impact assessment of Cabinet decisions. Has it done so?

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Questions on Cabinet deliberations are-----

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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I think the Taoiseach might-----

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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-----confidential-----

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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The Taoiseach wants to give information.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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-----and it is not appropriate to ask supplementary questions about it so we will move on.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Ceann Comhairle-----

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The issue is as I have given it. I am sure Deputy McManus is aware of Cabinet procedures and the circulation of memoranda to Departments for observations. These issues are mentioned in the line Department's observations where they are relevant and they are taken into account in the decision-making process.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Taoiseach indicate the membership of the Cabinet sub-committee on climate change? Will he confirm that the Minister for Transport is a member? In this context, will the Taoiseach agree there is a critical need to support current and projected public transport arrangements, not only to cater to the public need but also in recognition that every effort must be made to reduce the dependence on private cars and private vehicles which are contributing significantly to the climate change challenge that we face today? Does the Taoiseach care to indicate whether this is a consideration with regard to the upcoming tsunami of cuts that the Government has indicated for 2011?

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should submit a parliamentary question to the line Minister on these matters.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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My question is reasonable given the context. The Taoiseach may wish to respond.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Membership of the Cabinet sub-committee comprises of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Transport, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Minister for Finance and myself.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Is the Minister for Transport a member?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, I mentioned the Minister for Transport. I hope I have mentioned all of the members.

To answer Deputy Ó Caoláin's question, I do not have detailed information that would be accurate to give to him. A question to the line Minister might be best. I do not have it as it was not contemplated.