James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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83. 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 in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5798/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Programme 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 published last week, and the formal consultation on a draft plan which will commence in mid March, are integral parts of the Dialogue. I also intend to initiate a further consultation later this year on Ireland's National Adaptation Framework which again will form part of the Dialogue, in terms of addressing our national response in dealing with the impacts of climate change.

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.