JOINT COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY SECURITY debate -
Wednesday, 2 Apr 2008

Business of Joint Committee.

Chairman

The minutes of the last meeting have been circulated. Are they agreed? Agreed.

There are a number of items of correspondence. We received an update on the development of an energy plan for Leinster House. Members will recall that I wrote to the Ceann Comhairle on behalf of the committee to see what was being done in respect of saving energy and leading by example. A plan has been prepared and will be discussed shortly by the management committee and the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. We look forward to hearing from them. Is Senator O'Toole still a member of the commission?

Senator Joe O’Toole

I am not, there was no space for me anymore.

Chairman

I was hoping we would have a representative on the commission.

Senator Joe O’Toole

Is it likely to be a plan to reduce emissions or is it energy saving?

Chairman

There is a target of a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions, as set out in the Optimising Power At Work campaign. This refers to Leinster House. Members will recall that I wrote to the Ceann Comhairle. There is an energy plan being prepared which will be discussed with the management committee and the commission. In due course we will hear back from them.

Senator Joe O’Toole

I hope it is not simply to install a more modern, energy efficient oil burner.

Chairman

Like logos, etc.

The next item of correspondence is an invitation to attend the Third Global Congress of Women in Politics and Governance which is being held from 19-22 October in the Philippines. The theme of the congress is gender and climate change. I give members advance notice. If we are considering sending representatives, we must know well in advance to make the necessary preparations. Other committees have also been informed. I will contact the parties to consider whether we should send a representative.

The next item provides notification of a conference to be held in Cork from 9-11 April. It is being organised in conjunction with Cork County Council and the theme is "Towards Europe's sustainable energy future...Local authorities are ready to act!" It is a matter for local authorities but if members wish to attend, they should give notice to the clerk.

The European Training Institute will host a EUROPOLITICS business lunch on 23 April in Brussels, entitled "Emissions Trading Scheme post 2012: Achieving the appropriate allocation system". That would be a worthwhile meeting to attend if any member is interested. We should be represented at it. Any member who is interested in attending should notify the clerk to the committee.

The next matter is a reminder about the final lecture hosted by the EPA in the Mansion House which will take place next Tuesday.

We have been invited to a seminar on global warming and the food industry in Ireland and Finland, which will take place in the RDS on 9 April from 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. The seminar is being hosted by the Irish Business Club Finland. Any member interested in attending should notify the clerk to the committee.

We have also received an invitation from the chairman of the Institute of International and European Affairs, Brendan Halligan, to a roundtable discussion next Monday at 11 a.m. in the institute's premises on North Great Georges Street. The discussion will be chaired by Jeremy Rifkin, president of the Foundation on Economic Trends, who is currently advising the Slovenian Presidency on climate change, energy and sustainable development.

Deputy Liz McManus

Before we meet the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, I ask that an adjustment be made in regard to the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. This is the third occasion on which the two committees have clashed. The other committee has postponed its meeting until 3 p.m. but that means Deputy Coveney and I will have to leave early. It is a problem. If one committee could meet on Wednesday morning and the other in the afternoon, that would resolve the matter. I am aware this is a special day for all sorts of reasons but it is also our first day back.

Chairman

Is that the allocated time for the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources?

Deputy Liz McManus

Normally it meets in the morning.

Chairman

It should not meet in the afternoon. The committee chairmen met to work out the schedules so that we could avoid clashes.

Deputy Liz McManus

Therefore, the Chairman does liaise with other committees.

Chairman

There is a Chairmen's committee. The times and rooms were set out.

Senator Joe O’Toole

Deputy McManus raised this issue previously and I completely support her on it. I thought there would be alternate Wednesday meetings.

Chairman

We have not changed our Wednesday slots. This is the time which was allocated to us.

Senator Joe O’Toole

Will we meet every second Wednesday?

Chairman

Yes.

Senator Joe O’Toole

The other committee should meet on the alternate Wednesday.

Deputy Liz McManus

That is a solution.

Deputy Finian McGrath

I am caught in respect of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, which regularly clashes with this committee. I apologise if I have to leave to attend the other committee.