10 May 2013, 10:23
Members of the parliaments of EU Member States and of the European Parliament meet in Dublin Castle this Monday 13 May, to consider how to enhance EU-wide policy which helps foster clean energies and curb climate change.
10 May 2013
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications will co-host this meeting of Chairpersons of Environment and Energy Committees of EU Member States and the European Parliament.
The conference takes place under the theme Clean energy for the future and will be addressed by EU Commissioner for Energy, Günther Oettinger, EU Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard and the Minister for Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte TD.
Other speakers include:
- Astrid Schomaker, Head of Unit, Marine, Environment and Water Industry, European Commission
- Laura Burke, Director General, Irish Environmental Protection Agency
- John McCarthy, Head of Environment Division, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
- Dr Brian Motherway, CEO, Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland
Cathaoirleach (Chair) of the Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht Michael McCarthy TD says: “While the economic crisis has dominated discourse Europe-wide in recent years, developing an appropriate response to curbing climate change remains the defining challenge of our time. National Parliaments have a vital partnership role to play with the European Parliament, European Commission and Member State governments, in creating policy that develops a sustainable and clean supply of energy for European citizens. Developing such alternative resources also presents economic opportunities, not least for a country like Ireland with significant wind and wave energy potential. Monday’s conference is an opportunity for European parliamentarians to engage on the common policy responses required to tackle the serious longer-term threats to the quality of life of future generations of Europeans.”
Vice-Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, John O’Mahony TD, who will chair the opening session of the conference says: “In contributions which will inform the rest of the conference, Commissioner Oettinger and Minister Rabbitte will outline what they see as the priorities that will foster clean energies Europe-wide. Both the Commissioner and Minister will discuss optimum approaches in planning for future EU energy demands and the opportunities to exploit the potential of renewables for energy production.”
The event is the sixth in a series of eight meetings being hosted by the Houses of the Oireachtas during the six month Presidency, details of which are accessible on parleu2013.ie. The Oireachtas Twitter feed @oireachtasnews will carry updates over the course of Sunday and Monday. A live webcast of the proceedings can be accessed via www.parleu2013.ie/live or alternatively people can view proceedings on Oireachtas Channel UPC 207.
Photos: Photos of the event will be available from Maxwells - tel: +353 1 830-8072 or email office@maxwellphotography.ie
Conference footage: Broadcast quality copies of the proceedings will be available from the OBU, who can be contacted on +353 1 6183789; mobile +353 86 8193399 or email facilities@picommunications.ie,
Media: Please note that the Werburgh Street Media Centre will not be open for this event. For further information or to register your interest in attending the event, please contact:
Paul Hand,
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
E: paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
or
Cáit Hayes,
Tel: +353 1 6183883
Mob: +353 87 9190300
E: cait.hayes@oireachtas.ie
Programme
Theme of Meeting: Clean energy for the future
09.00 - Opening address by Michael McCarthy, TD, Cathaoirleach, Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
09:10 - Topic: The sustainable production of energy within the EU
Chair: John O’Mahony, TD, Vice Chairman, Joint Committee on Transport and Communications
Address by:
(i) Gunther Oettinger, EU Commissioner for Energy
(ii) Pat Rabbitte, TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
10:45 - Family Photo/Coffee break
11:15 - Topic: Protecting our environment for a sustainable future
Chair: Michael McCarthy, TD, Cathaoirleach, Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Address by:
(i) Laura Burke, Director General, Environmental Protection Agency
(ii) Astrid Schomaker, European Commission, Head of Unit D 2 –Marine, Environment and Water Industry
12:45 - Lunch
14:15 - Topic: Towards our Climate Change goals
Chair: Michael McCarthy, TD, Cathaoirleach, Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Address by:
(i) Connie Hedegaard, EU Commissioner for Climate Action
(ii) John McCarthy, Head of Environment Division, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
(iii) Dr Brian Motherway, Chief Executive, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
15:45 - Closing Address by Michael McCarthy, TD, Cathaoirleach, Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht