Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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284. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his communication with the European Commission regarding the inclusion of the midlands region on the EU coal regions in transition platform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15754/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department has met with the European Commission in relation to this issue and I have recently written to the Commission requesting the inclusion of the Midlands Region on the Coal Regions in Transition Platform in the context of a commitment to an accelerated transition out of producing milled peat for power generation in the Midlands Region.

The main objectives of the Platform are to enable multi-stakeholder dialogue on policy frameworks for successful transformation of carbon-intensive regions, and to facilitate the development of strategies and projects in areas such as investment for structural transformation, growth and jobs.

The inclusion of the Midlands Region on the Platform would mean that a team of European Commission and external experts would be assigned to assist the relevant State bodies with refining project ideas and implementation strategies, including feedback on relevant EU policies, programmes, funds and financing instruments.

I expect to receive a positive response from the European Commission to my request.