Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether Ireland's responsibilities in respect of EU targets for carbon emission reductions can be met fully and on time; if he is satisfied that the progress made to date in this regard adequately meets expectations; his further proposals which might complement efforts to date in this regard and at the same time create employment opportunities in line with current and projected needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30494/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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For the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol, Ireland is committed to limiting greenhouse gas emissions to 13% above 1990 levels over the 2008-2012 period. In accordance with the National Climate Change Strategy, that target will be met on foot of domestic mitigation action supplemented by the purchase of carbon allowances or credits under the flexible mechanisms provided for in the Protocol.

Ireland's greenhouse gas mitigation target for 2020 requires a 20% reduction on 2005 levels in the sectors of the economy not covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS). This reduction must be achieved along a legally-binding trajectory, beginning in 2013 at the average emissions for 2008-2010, with annual targets up to 2020. This poses a very significant challenge and, even under the most optimistic scenario, a compliance gap will need to be bridged. This gap will be addressed through domestic policy development complemented, as necessary, by use of the flexibilities provided in Decision 406/2009/EC of 23 April 2009. Irish installations participating in the EU-ETS will operate within an EU-wide cap which will deliver a 21% reduction on 2005 levels by 2020.

The programme for climate policy and legislation published 23 January 2012 set out my approach to the development of national policy and legislation over an 18 month period. The principal milestones include:

- a public consultation (which ran from 29 February to 1 April 2012);

- in the second half of this year, the publication of an initial report by the NESC Secretariat on potential climate polices and measures, and the development of heads of a Climate Bill for consideration by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht following Government approval; and

- consideration of the final report by the NESC Secretariat and the heads of the Bill by the Committee in the first half of 2013.

As I indicated in the programme for climate policy and legislation, I will publish the Heads of a Climate Bill in the fourth quarter of 2012.

In my presentation to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on 15 December 2011, I set out my approach to ensuring that we develop the necessary policy mix to support an ambitious but realistic national direction towards a low-carbon future. The green economy and sustainable development agendas are key elements of Ireland's economic recovery strategy. They can provide the opportunities for job creation in start-up and scale-up companies, with increased public demand for green goods and services in both domestic and international markets. Earlier this month, I published Our Sustainable Future, a Framework for Sustainable Development for Ireland, which sets out a medium to long-term approach to guide the essential work required to progress the sustainable development agenda and more fully embrace the green economy in Ireland. The agenda in this area will be progressed further through the development of a Green Economy Action Plan under the Jobs Action Plan, which falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.