John Gormley
Question:307 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when the EU will ratify the Kyoto Protocol; the reasons for the delay in ratification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23527/99]
Written Answers. - Kyoto Protocol.
At the Fifth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, earlier this month, the EU and its member states took the view that the Kyoto Protocol should be ratified and enter into force by 2002, ten years after the convention was adopted and signed.
However, further progress on a number of key issues, in particular the flexibility mechanisms provided for in the protocol, and a compliance regime, is needed to facilitate ratification by a sufficient number of parties. Necessary decisions in these regards are expected at COP 6, due to take place in The Hague at the end of 2000.