Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 27: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps that have been taken in relation to the commitment contained in the programme for Government to establish a high level commission on climate change to oversee implementation of the climate change strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43044/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Since the publication of the National Climate Change Strategy 2007 — 2012, work has continued across Government Departments on the development of measures to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions. Progress in implementing such measures, and the coordination of work across Government with respect to the climate change agenda is overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security. That Committee has established two inter-departmental groups to support its work.

The Senior Officials Group is tasked with addressing the challenges posed to Ireland in achieving its greenhouse gas emission targets and informing and implementing policy in this regard, while the Technical Advisory Steering Group, which includes representatives from relevant agencies, provides the modelling expertise which underpins the analysis. Subgroups of these Groups have been established on an ad-hoc basis to consider specific issues and to report to the two main Groups. An informal Expert Advisory Panel has also been established by the Cabinet Committee to assist in the analysis of possible policy measures. In addition, the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security is also important in developing cross-party consensus both on targets and on the measures required to achieve them.

Given that these structures are now in place, the potential for further added value from the establishment, at this stage, of a Commission on Climate Change remains under consideration.