In February 2013, with the approval of the Government, I published Outline Heads of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill for consideration by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht and stakeholders. I was pleased to note the extensive public consultation exercise on the Outline Heads undertaken by the Joint Committee, including the request for written submissions and the holding of public hearings, in which I participated. The resultant Report of the Joint Committee, published in November 2013, outlines possible course of action that might be considered in the context of drafting the legislation.
I am considering the Joint Committee's report, as well as a range of other issues, with a view to finalising the draft Heads of the Bill as soon as possible. Subject to the approval of Government, my intention is to publish the final Heads before Easter 2014.