Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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135. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the research that has been commissioned by his Department in relation to climate change mitigation and-or adaptation over the past year; and if he will supply a copy of the terms of reference for any such research. [3328/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that no research was commissioned by my Department in relation to climate change mitigation and/or adaptation in the past year.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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136. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the work being done to develop climate change mitigation policy applicable to his Department, and the public participation opportunities incorporated in that work. [3336/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, there are, of course, linkages between the challenges of climate change and the protection of biodiversity and these are reflected, where appropriate, in various policies in my Department - for example in the Government's National Biodiversity Plan. Given the key role peatlands play in the carbon cycle, Ireland's extensive peatlands are important as carbon sinks and as a source of greenhouse gas emissions. These issues, and their implications relating to climate change policy, have been considered in the recently published draft National Peatlands Strategy, which is available to view, along with related documents, at .

The draft Strategy has been developed with the advice of the Peatlands Council, which has representation from land-owner, turf-cutter and environmental groups among its membership. The draft Strategy has issued for consultation and views are invited from the public before April 18 2014.