Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 432: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, with regard to his call for an all-party consensus on climate change, he will invite the Opposition parties to become involved in policy making on climate change issues; if he will share his Department's research findings related to climate change strategy; if he will consult with the Opposition prior to the announcement of new policies or initiatives designed to combat climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15283/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In my recent contribution to the Environmental Protection Agency's lecture series on climate change, I said — in a reference to the new Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security — that the "Committee will be extremely important in forging the vital cross-party consensus, not just on targets but also on measures required to tackle climate change.".

In my own presentation to the Committee on 27 February, I referred specifically to the Technical Advisory Steering Group which has been established to provide analysis to the Government on implications for Ireland of the European Commission's proposed greenhouse gas targets for 2020. I indicated that, once this group had completed its work, I would bring proposals to the Committee. I explained that I wished to make progress on this particular aspect of work, and I expressed the hope that we could discuss the matter in more detail as soon as the Committee's agenda permitted. I concluded by expressing the belief that "all Parties are genuine in their stated commitment to tackling climate change. If that is indeed the case, we should rise above adversarial politics and show united leadership to the Irish people. We can focus on working out our long-term targets and objectives and this committee has a vital role to play in that regard.".