Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2014
489. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding Ireland’s response to EU or other international agreements in relation to climate change; if a progressive plan has been formulated to address any issues arising with a view to ensuring that no damage is done in the context of economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26152/14]
View answerThe Government is committed to meeting Ireland’s obligations at an EU and international level , as reflected in the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development and the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill , both of which I published in April of this year. Head 3 of the General Scheme is unequivocal on obligations of the State under EU and international law.
On economic considerations, I refer to the reply to Questions No.135 and 136 of 1 May 2014. In that reply, I outlined that t he National Policy Position clearly identifies competitiveness as a pillar of the fundamental national objective on transition to a low-carbon economy by 2050. The National Policy Position also sets out a number of key issues for consideration in the on-going evolution of national climate policy, including -
(i) the need to ensure that objectives are achieved at the least cost to the national economy and that any measures adopted to achieve those objectives are cost-effective, and do not impose an unreasonable burden on the Exchequer, and
(ii) the need to take advantage of environmentally sustainable economic opportunities both within and outside the State.
The General Scheme of the Bill proposes to provide for incorporation of economic considerations into mitigation and adaptation plans adopted by the Government for the purpose of progressing the national transition agenda.
