Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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135. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which his Department continues to examine the economic impact of climate change legislation or other proposals which might negatively impact on this economy; the extent to which the issue has been examined with a view to ensuring compliance with climate change regulations and maintaining economic progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19893/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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136. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which any steps will be taken to ensure adequate economic growth while at the same time meeting carbon emission requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19894/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together.

The National Policy Position on climate action and low-carbon development, which I announced on 23 April 2014, clearly identifies competitiveness as a pillar of the fundamental national objective on transition to a low-carbon economy by 2050. The National Policy Position also sets out a number of key issues for consideration in the ongoing evolution of national climate policy, including the need to take advantage of environmentally sustainable economic opportunities both within and outside the State.

The General Scheme of the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill, which I also announced on 23 April 2014, was accompanied by a Regulatory Impact Analysis (available at ) which considered, inter alia, impacts on national competitiveness and on economic markets, including consumer and competition impacts.

The General Scheme proposes to provide for incorporation of economic considerations into mitigation and adaptation plans adopted by the Government for the purpose of progressing the national transition agenda. These considerations include the need to ensure that objectives are achieved at least cost to the national economy, and that any measures adopted to achieve those objectives are cost effective and do not impose an unreasonable burden on the Exchequer.