Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 493: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date in the fourth quarter of 2012 on which he will issue heads of a proposed climate bill for consideration by the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht; if he expects any delay beyond the end of 2012 in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35241/12]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 498: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the heads of the Climate Change Bill will be published in 2012 as outlined in the road map; if he expects the drafted legislation to then be published in early 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35291/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 493 and 498 together.

While I have not fixed a date at this stage, I do not envisage any delay in meeting the commitment to issue heads of a Climate Bill by the end of 2012.

I foresee a central role for the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht in the policy development process, most importantly on the critical issue of coming to a clear national understanding of how to meet our binding EU and wider international mitigation commitments, as well as pursuing national objectives in a low-carbon global economy. In the Programme for the development of national climate policy and legislation, I have allowed time in the first half of 2013 for the Joint Committee to complete and submit a report on national policy development and appropriate legislation, following consultation with stakeholders. I hope to receive the report by the end June 2013 and will consider it carefully before deciding on the final approach to legislation.