Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the recent UN report that claims that climate change is resulting in more than 300,000 deaths a year; his views on the need for climate change targets to be put on a legal footing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24077/09]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the need for climate change legislation; the representations he has made for higher targets at EU level; his plans for climate change talks at Copenhagen; if he expects the Taoiseach to represent Ireland at the Copenhagen talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18696/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 423 together.

In the period 2008-2012, Ireland is required to meet a challenging greenhouse gas emission reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol; this target is binding in international law. In addition, by 2020, Ireland is committed under the EU climate and energy package agreed in December 2008 to achieve a 20% reduction on 2005 levels of greenhouse gas emissions in the sectors of the economy not covered by the EU emissions trading scheme. This 20% target is binding in EU law, as will any adjustment to it in the light of the outcome to the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen later this year. The question of national legislation on climate change will be considered in the context of the review of the Programme for Government.

The objective of the ongoing international negotiations under the Framework Convention on Climate Change is to reach agreement on a comprehensive global response to climate change at the Copenhagen conference. Ireland fully supports the EU position set out in the conclusions adopted by the Council on 2 March 2009 and subsequently. It is of the utmost importance that a new agreement is reached in Copenhagen in order to avoid any gap in the response to climate change when the Kyoto Protocol expires at the end of 2012. A key element of an effective outcome at Copenhagen will be continued leadership by developed countries in tackling climate change and I believe that a new agreement must set binding post-2012 greenhouse gas emission limitation or reduction targets for developed countries.

The EU position in the international negotiations and the Irish Government's support is underpinned by the scientific advice from the InterGovernmental Panel on Climate change. In its 4th Assessment Report, the Panel found that the warming of the climate system is unequivocal and that climate change currently contributes to the global burden of disease and premature deaths. It also found that projected climate change-related exposures are likely to affect the health status of millions of people, particularly those least able to adapt to changing conditions. This would be particularly evident in increased malnutrition; increased deaths, disease and injury due to heatwaves, floods, storms, fires and droughts; increased diarrheal disease; malaria and cardiorespiratory diseases.

I intend to participate in the Ministerial segment of the Copenhagen conference; the other members of the Irish delegation will be decided closer to the time. While it is possible that the conference will be elevated to the level of Heads of State and Government, I am not aware of any decision to that effect and the issue of the Taoiseach attending does not therefore arise at this time.