Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 1099: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the date on which he will establish the Climate Change Commission as outlined in the National Climate Change Strategy. [19965/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a Climate Change Commission. It is envisaged that the role of the Commission will include monitoring and assessing Ireland's progress in addressing climate change, and increasing awareness in all sectors of the opportunities and challenges presented by the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Arrangements for the establishment of the Commission are currently being finalised and will be announced in due course.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 1100: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he plans to establish an all-party Oireachtas group on reaching climate change targets. [19966/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to agree an all-party approach on climate change targets and, in advance of this, to set a target of a 3% reduction per year on average in Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions over the lifetime of the current Government.

At this year's Spring meeting of the European Council, EU Heads of State and Government agreed to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% on 1990 levels by 2020. They also committed to a reduction of 30% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to 1990 as the EU contribution to a global and comprehensive agreement for the period beyond 2012, provided that other developed countries commit themselves to comparable emission reductions, and economically more advanced developing countries adequately contribute to the global response according to their responsibilities and respective capabilities. The Council also agreed that a differentiated approach to the contributions of individual Member States would be used, which takes account of fairness and national circumstances.

In confirming that developed countries should continue to take the lead by committing to collectively reducing their emissions of greenhouse gases in the order of 30% by 2020 compared to 1990, the European Council noted that they should do so with a view to collectively reducing their emissions by 60% to 80% by 2050 compared to 1990.

Given the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions required by 2050, I consider that it is important to develop a broad national consensus on longer-term targets to reduce Ireland's emissions. I envisage that an all-party approach to considering and agreeing such targets is appropriate. This process will take place over a period of time and I am open to considering the mechanisms by which such agreement may be found, including the establishment of an all-party Oireachtas group.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 1101: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department will publish a report setting out progress on meeting climate change targets in 2007 in respect of the year 2006; and the date of publication of this report. [19967/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012, published in April 2007, includes a commitment to publish an annual Implementation Status Report. This report is to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, prior to presenting it to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Local Government. I intend that this report will set out progress on implementing the measures contained in the Strategy and detail the further measures that have been introduced subsequently. The report will also include the latest available data on greenhouse gas emissions as well as updated projections of future emissions. It will be published in April of each year and the first report, in respect of the current year, will be published in April 2008.

The Programme for Government contains a separate commitment to present an outline carbon report ("carbon budget") in conjunction with the annual financial Budget, to be followed by a report from me outlining our use of energy in the preceding year, and plans and progress towards meeting agreed targets. I am considering the precise approach to meeting these commitments with the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance and other relevant Ministers.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 1102: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the dates on which he plans to phase out the use of incandescent lightbulbs in favour of more energy efficient lightbulbs. [19969/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012, published in April 2007, includes a commitment to introduce an environmental levy on incandescent bulbs, to encourage consumers to switch to more energy efficient alternatives. More recently, the Programme for Government commits to the phasing out of incandescent light bulbs.

My Department is currently examining the options available to reduce the use of this type of bulb, with a view to meeting the Government commitment as a matter of priority.