Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, similar to his predecessor, it is his intention to announce a carbon budget for the calendar year 2012 separate to the budget being announced by the Minister for Finance on 6 December 2011; if so, if a date has been set for the carbon budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32647/11]

Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will publish a climate Bill; if he will outline the main provisions he intends to include in this bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32582/11]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the progress made to date on the drafting of a climate law, as set out in the programme for Government; if he will be in a position to send the heads of the Bill to the Joint Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht in advance of the Christmas recess; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31807/11]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will use the environment fund to support Ireland's contribution to the European Union fund on climate finance, as in 2010, for the years 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31808/11]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding climate change policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32230/11]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will publish the climate change Bill; if he will refer the heads of the Bill to the joint committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32248/11]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide €23 million from the environment fund to support the EU contribution for climate finance to developing countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32249/11]

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the heads of the climate change Bill will be available; and if it will be circulated as soon as possible. [32380/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 257, 258, 268, 269, 292, 294, 295 and 302 together.

My immediate priority is to finalise a review of national climate policy in the light of existing and anticipated national greenhouse gas mitigation targets up to 2020. The review will be made available on my Department's website in the coming days and will provide the background for future policy development.

It is my objective, in line with the Programme for Government, to introduce climate legislation within the lifetime of this Government. As indicated in the Government legislation programme, published on 14 September 2011, I expect that it will be 2012 at the earliest before any legislation can be published, taking account of the need also to progress the broader climate policy agenda under the aegis of the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and the Green Economy.

In the overall context of policy development, I will be considering the value of carbon budgeting in the future. I will also be giving consideration to appropriate mechanisms for recording compliance with the annual emissions reduction trajectory with which Ireland must comply, under EU law, from 2013 onwards.

In relation to climate finance, the developed country Parties who associated with the Copenhagen Accord (including the EU and all Member States) agreed to provide a fast-start finance package, over the three years 2010 to 2012, to assist developing countries address climate change.

As part of Ireland's response to that commitment, a contribution of €23 million was made by my Department in 2010 to the Global Climate Change Alliance established and operated by the European Commission. The contribution was the subject of a supplementary estimate debated at the Select Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on 9 December 2010.

The issue of a further contribution to the fast-start finance package through my Department is under ongoing review having regard to the availability of resources and competing demands.