Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security met twice in 2009, on 29 April and 7 October. The Committee's first meeting of 2010 is scheduled to take place in early June. Issues relating to Climate Change negotiations at EU level are also considered when appropriate by the Cabinet Committee on European Affairs, while relevant issues are discussed regularly at meetings of the full Government when that is appropriate.

It would be incorrect to correlate the number of meetings of the Cabinet Committee with the Government's commitment to addressing Climate Change and Energy Security issues. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government retains lead responsibility for climate change policy, with cross-departmental issues co-ordinated through the Senior Officials Group on Climate Change and Energy Security chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach. I am satisfied that significant progress is being achieved and that the issues are receiving the appropriate level of attention.