Dáil debates

Thursday, 20 October 2011

5:00 pm

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 7: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the date on which the review of national policy on climate change will be finalised; and the date on which same will be published on his Department's website. [30313/11]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The review of national climate policy, which is being progressed as a matter of priority, is designed to take stock of the progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in recent years and to set out the challenge in the period to 2020 and beyond. We are demonstrating our commitment to the EU and wider international climate protection agenda by ensuring we will comply with our current greenhouse gas mitigation target for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol. Beyond 2012, we have clear and challenging mitigation targets for the period 2013 to 2020. We are bound to meet these targets under EU law and to ensure the relevant issues must be addressed in the longer-term context of transition to a competitive, low-carbon economy.

The review is almost finalised and will be available on my Department's website as quickly as possible following its completion and submission to Government. The review aims to set the contextual foundation for the development of future climate policy and I hope it will stimulate constructive debate on the way forward. The clear priority is to develop policy that responds to the specific challenges that exist for Ireland. I am open to ideas on how best to address those challenges and am currently considering how best to engage all stakeholders in taking the process forward.

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the Minister's statement to the effect the review is almost finalised. It is important that it be finalised soon because not only is the environment being damaged at present but also we are bound by EU law. Will the Minister indicate exactly when he expects the review to be finalised?

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I expect to be in a position to bring the climate change review to Government in the next week or two.