19 Jun 2013, 18:08
Climate change is back on the agenda for the Environment Committee when it meets with Officials from the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, from Transport, Tourism and Sport and from Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on Tomorrow, Thursday 20th June 2013.
Deputy Ged Nash, Member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, who will chair tomorrow’s meeting, said: “How we prepare our society and economy for a low carbon future will require input from a wide variety of sectors, including transportation, agriculture and energy. Therefore, as we consider the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill, it is timely and appropriate that we meet with officials from the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, from Transport, Tourism and Sport and from Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to get their perspectives on how the Bill will impact on their sectors as well as discussing the challenges posed by climate change and adapting to it.
“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.
“Tomorrow’s meeting will be an opportunity for Members to raise any issues they have in relation to the Bill with the various departments.
“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, which is part of a series of hearings over the next few weeks where the Committee will take evidence from NGOs and other stakeholders, will start in Committee Room 2, Leinster House at 2.15pm on Thursday, 20th June 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).