Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

132. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, now that the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill has been published, his Department's response in terms of the preparation of a sectoral emissions reduction plan; if he plans to prepare a draft plan in anticipation of the national adaptation plan; if such a plan will be left until the latter end of the 2017 timescale envisaged under the bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4337/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill creates a statutory obligation to develop a National Mitigation Plan for Ireland.  My Department is in the process of preparing our contribution to the Plan and, in keeping with commitments under the Aarhus Convention, my officials intend to invite stakeholders to a consultative workshop over the coming weeks on the transport elements of the Plan.  As the Deputy will know, the National Plan will also incorporate input from the key sectors of electricity generation, built environment and agriculture. 

In terms of the overall timeframe for the development of the National Mitigation Plan, it will be necessary to ensure compliance with the principles and requirements of EU Directives and Regulations associated with Strategic Environmental and Appropriate Assessments.   Not only will these assessments include statutory consultative phases but the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill also provides for a consultation process on the draft National Mitigation Plan. I understand the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Minister Alan Kelly, proposes to allow a significant period of time for the public and stakeholders to feed into the continued development of the Plan.

As the Deputy refers, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill also creates a statutory obligation for my Department to develop a Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Transport Sector.  Good progress has been made to date and, subject to the level of obligation required in relation to Strategic Environmental and Appropriate Assessments, I would hope to be in a position to publish the Plan by the end of this year.