Vol. 525 No. 2
721 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Environment Minister in the United Kingdom, Mr. Michael Meacher, recently stated that the storms in Britain were directly related to global warming; and if he will make a similar statement in relation to weather conditions in this country. [24878/00]
I am aware of the views expressed by Minister Meacher in regard to recent weather event in the UK. I am satisfied that greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are contributing to climate change and will cause further significant changes in the global climate system.
Anticipated changes arising from human induced climate change in Ireland were set out in Climate Change: Studies in the Implications for Ireland (Department of the Environment, 1991). The recently published National Climate Change Strategy indicates that an updated assessment of the impact of climate change on Ireland will be undertaken, and the EPA is considering research proposals in this regard.
