17 May 2013, 12:39
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and Gaeltacht will start its hearings on the Heads of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill next Tuesday, 21st May, 2013 when it will meet with representatives from the Department of the Environment, the National Economic and Social Council and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Cathaoirleach of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht Michael McCarthy TD said: “Next Tuesday we begin our consideration of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill when we meet with a number of State agencies with responsibility in the area of environmental protection.
“Climate change is one of the key issues facing the world today and it is important that we formulate the necessary policy and legislation to help Ireland move to a low carbon and environmentally sustainable economy and society.
“Our meeting on Tuesday is a chance for the Committee to hear from the Bill’s sponsoring department, the Department of the Environment; the organisation that provided the policy analysis behind the bill, the National Economic and Social Council; and the agency at the forefront of environmental protection and policing, the Environmental Protection Agency. It will also provide members with an opportunity to raise any issues they have in relation to the Bill.
“We are looking forward to working with the Minister and his department in helping to formulate policy on this very important issue. 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 4, Leinster House at 2.15pm on Tuesday 21st May 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).