Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 3

Written Answers. - Millennium Summit.

Ivan Yates

Question:

314 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the Government was represented at the UN Millennium Summit from 6-9 September 2000; if so, if an Irish viewpoint in relation to global environmental degradation was set out; and if his attention has been drawn to any proposals to establish a representative environmental to make binding decisions to protect the global environment without waiting for unanimous agreement amongst all the world's governments. [24996/00]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

The Taoiseach represented the Government at the UN Millennium Summit. The summit adopted the millennium declaration which contains commitments in relation to the protection of our common environment and support for the principles of sustainable development on a global scale.

In preparation for the tenth anniversary of the Rio conference, the current presidency of the EU is developing draft conclusions in relation to improvements in the area of global environmental governance for consideration by the Council of Environment Ministers at its meeting in December 2000. Among the many options being explored in this context is the feasibility and practicality of establishing a world environment organisation as an alternative to progressive improvements and strengthening of the existing institutions and systems.