Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

33. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has engaged with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the role of forestry in addressing climate change; if he is satisfied there is sufficient coordination between his Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32123/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050 is pursued and overseen by Government through a hierarchy of committees and sub groups, with independent advice from the Climate Change Advisory Council.  These committees and groups include the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, Environment and Climate Action, the Senior Officials' Group on Infrastructure, Environment and Climate Action, Technical Research and Modelling Group (TRAM), National Mitigation Plan Steering Group, National Adaptation Steering Group and the Domestic Climate Finance Group.

Interaction between my Department  and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is on-going on a continuous basis through these fora, as it is with all other relevant Government Departments and Agencies.  In this regard I am very satisfied that there is sufficient co-ordination at all the required levels to address the role of forestry in addressing climate change.  This is particularly important given the flexibilities that are now proposed, under the 2030 framework, between the proposed Effort Sharing Regulation and the proposal in respect of the Land Use and Land Use Change and Forestry sector, both of which were published on 20th July last.

Specifically in relation to my engagement with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I most recently met with my colleague Minister Creed last week to discuss climate-related matters and our deliberations covered a very comprehensive overview of matters relating to both agriculture and forestry. I fully intend to continue my engagement with Minister Creed and indeed other Cabinet colleagues in ensuring that there is a whole of government approach to how we address climate change.