Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 958: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the outcome of his meetings in Luxembourg on climate change and carbon emission reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38625/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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At its scheduled meeting on 21 October 2009 in Luxembourg, the EU Council of Environment Ministers adopted a comprehensive set of conclusions as a contribution to development of a final EU policy position for the climate change conference which will be held in Copenhagen in December. This contribution from Environment Ministers is reflected in the conclusions subsequently adopted by the European Council at its meeting on 29 and 30 October.

One of the most important outcomes from an environmental perspective is the EU agreement to an objective, in the context of the scientific advice on the level of reductions required from developed countries as a group, to reduce emissions by 80-95% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. This level of ambition is consistent with EU leadership on climate change and I hope it will influence other countries to embrace the objective of limiting the increase in average global temperature to no more that 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

I am pleased that, in the conclusions adopted by the Council, the EU has reinforced its commitment, determination and leadership in pursuit of a positive outcome at the Copenhagen conference.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 959: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the area in square kilometres for every county that is designated as special areas of conservation, special protection areas and national heritage areas; what is the percentage of total area of each county that is designated as special areas of conservation, special protection areas and national heritage areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38628/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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A breakdown of the nature conservation designations of special area of conservation, special protection area and natural heritage area on a county by county basis is provided in the table.

It should be noted that, for the purpose of this exercise, designations were reconciled to an Ordnance Survey Ireland county dataset. Marine areas were excluded and area figures were rounded to the nearest whole number. In many cases the areas of designation overlap and, accordingly, the overall percentage of a county's area that is subject to designation cannot be deduced by adding the percentage figures for each designation type.