Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2019
1218. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of his recent application to the European Commission coal regions in transition platform; if he has requested that the midland regions be included for support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18703/19]
View answerMy department has met with the European Commission in relation to this issue and I have recently written to the Commission requesting the inclusion of the Midlands Region on the Coal Regions in Transition Platform in the context of a commitment to an accelerated transition out of producing milled peat for power generation in the Midlands Region. The main objectives of the Platform are to enable multi-stakeholder dialogue on policy frameworks for successful transformation of carbon-intensive regions, and to facilitate the development of strategies and projects in areas such as investment for structural transformation, growth and jobs.
The inclusion of the Midlands Region on the Platform would mean that a team of European Commission and external experts would be assigned to assist the relevant State bodies with refining project ideas and implementation strategies, including feedback on relevant EU policies, programmes, funds and financing instruments.
While I have yet to receive a response from the European Commission I would expect the response to my request to be positive.
