Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change's fourth report on climate change, which claims that the Earth and humanity are in permanent danger due to global warming; the steps the Government will take on foot of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30897/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I welcome publication of the Fourth Assessment Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The fundamental message that climate change is unequivocal should not come as a surprise to anyone. We now know with a high level of confidence that global greenhouse gas concentrations have increased markedly since 1750 and far exceed pre-industrial values spanning many thousand of years.

The globally averaged net effect of human activities since 1750 has been one of warming, and most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations. According to the assessment report, attribution to human activities is now possible for all major continents.

Ireland is playing its part in the international effort to combat climate change. As confirmed in the report "Greenhouse gas emission trends and projections in Europe 2007" published yesterday by the European Environmental Agency, Ireland is on course to meet its target under the Kyoto Protocol. Furthermore, a fundamental objective of the National Climate Change Strategy is to prepare for the deeper emission reductions to which we are committed, which we must meet in the period to 2020 and beyond.

Ireland has consistently supported the strongly proactive position adopted by the EU on mobilising an effective international response climate change. At the upcoming meetings of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, the EU will be seeking agreement to commence a formal round of negotiations over two years with the aim of adopting a comprehensive global post-2012 agreement by 2009.