16 Apr 2013, 17:37
The Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht will discuss the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities in the developing world at its meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, 17th April 2013.
Cecilia Kibe Muthoni, Coordinator, Kenya Climate Justice Women Champions; Mithika Mwenda, Coordinator, Pan African Climate Justice Alliance; and Maanda Ngoitiko, Pastoral Women's Council of Tanzania will attend the meeting to discuss how climate change is affecting their regions.
Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Committee Noel Coonan TD said: “Climate change is one of the key issues facing the world today. However, it is having a much more devastating impact on countries in the developing world where it is adding to problems of poverty and food shortages, resulting in increased hunger and lack of nutrition. Those least responsible for climate, countries in the developing world, are experiencing its greatest impacts. Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to meet directly with representatives of communities dealing with the fall out of climate change, hear how their individuals and communities are being affected and how they are coping and discuss with them what policies they would like to see implemented on a national and global scale to deal with the problem of climate change.”
“As a committee, we will have a major input into proposed climate change legislation in this country. We are currently seeking submissions from interested individuals and groups on the Heads of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill. The Committee will consider these written submissions and may decide to invite a number of contributors to public hearings should it feel that this is necessary. Our report, and the policy analysis by the National Economic and Social Council Secretariat, will be key inputs for consideration by Government in adopting a national policy position on the transition to a low-carbon future, and finalising the introduction of climate legislation in the second half of 2013.”
This meeting will start in Committee Room 1, Leinster House at 10.30am tomorrow, Wednesday 17th April 2013.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/watchlisten/
Media enquiries to:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Email: Ciaran.brennan@oireachtas.ie
Membership of the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Deputies: James Bannon TD (Fine Gael); Paudie Coffey TD (Fine Gael); Noel Coonan (Fine Gael) Leas-Chathaoirleach; Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD (Fine Gael); Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil); Luke Flanagan TD (Independent); Kevin Humphreys TD (Labour); Michael McCarthy TD (Labour) Cathaoirleach; Sandra McLellan TD (Sinn Féin); Tony Mc Loughlin TD (Fine Gael); Michelle Mulherin TD (Fine Gael); Catherine Murphy TD (Independent); Gerald Nash TD (Labour); Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD; Brian Stanley TD (Sinn Féin).
Senators: Senator Cáit Keane (Fine Gael) Senator Denis Landy (Labour); An Seanadóir Fiach Mac Conghail (Neamhspleách); Senator Catherine Noone (Fine Gael); An Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fáil): Senator Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil).