Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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672. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when his Department anticipates initiating the national dialogue on climate change; the amount of funding that has been allocated to the dialogue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3771/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to establish a National Dialogue on Climate Change.  This builds on the commitment in the Energy White Paper to establish a National Energy Forum to maximise and maintain consensus on the broad policy measures set out in the White Paper required to ensure the transition to a low-carbon energy future.

It is my intention that the National Dialogue on Climate Change will encompass the role envisaged for the National Energy Forum but with a wider focus, to include the examination of key infrastructural, land use, security of supply and economic issues that need to be addressed in our long-term transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient future.

It is important that the National Dialogue on Climate Change reflects the views of all stakeholders, including communities, non-government organisations, business, and wider Government Departments and Agencies. The Briefing Document on Ireland's First National Mitigation Plan which I am publishing this week, and the formal consultation on a draft plan which will commence in mid March, are integral parts of the Dialogue. I will announce full details National Dialogue on Climate Change  shortly. An initial allocation of €350,000 has been made in 2017 towards the Dialogue.