Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to deliver the programme for Government commitment to establish a commission on climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10153/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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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 Analysis 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.