Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator Norris called for fairness in today's budget. Senator Hayden raised the issue of the UN climate conference in Doha and rightly pointed out how it is pertinent concerning the appalling tragedy that has occurred in the Philippines with 230 people presumed dead as a result of flash flooding with a school and an evacuation centre among the buildings that have been wiped out. This brings home the potential impact of climate change, particularly in developing countries. I agree we should have a debate in the new year on climate change. Colleagues will be aware that in 2007 I initiated the first climate protection Bill as a Private Members' Bill in the Seanad. Legislation in this area is a commitment in the programme for Government. It is important the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government attends the Doha conference on the UN framework convention on climate change, particularly as it will fall to the Irish EU Presidency to lead the EU's follow-up work on it in the first half of 2013.