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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

291 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the extent of the public consultation which took place as part of the national greenhouse gas abatement strategy; the bearing this process had on the work of the emissions trading group; and the extent to which the group has reported to him as expected in May or June 1999 following its first meeting in December 1998. [23416/99]

For purposes of the preparation of a national greenhouse gas abatement strategy to meet Ireland's commitment under the Kyoto protocol, a consultancy study on the limitation and reduction of CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland was published by my Department and the Department of Public Enterprise in June 1998, as a basis for public consultation. In October 1998, the two Departments held a discussion forum for interested bodies, organisations and individuals who made submissions on the report. The submissions made, and the wide-ranging discussion at the forum, are being utilised in the development of the draft national greenhouse gas abatement strategy. I have asked Comhar, the national sustainable development partnership, to consider and make recommendations to me on the draft strategy by mid-December.

As part of the development of an overall policy to ensure that Ireland meets its Kyoto target, I established a consultation group on greenhouse gas emissions trading to assess greenhouse gas emissions trading as it effects Irish policy formation. The group is also examining the option of the development of a domestic emissions trading market, and the implications for Ireland of an international trading regime.

In April 1999, I received an interim report from the group concerning the formulation of an overall EU policy regarding the use of concrete ceilings on the amount of greenhouse gases that can be traded under the Kyoto flexibility mechanisms, including international emissions trading. A copy of this interim report, together with my response to it, are in the Oireachtas Library. I understand that the group is now preparing its main report and I hope to receive it as early as possible in 2000.
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