I refer to the comprehensive statement which I made in presenting the third Carbon Budget to Dáil Éireann on 11 December 2009. In that statement, I introduced the carbon tax and the Climate Change Bill 2010 as two of the corner-stones that will shape and drive Ireland's response to climate change.
Putting a price on carbon, which is being achieved through the implementation of the carbon tax, is a key step in our continued efforts to move towards a low-carbon future. As indicated in the reply to Question no. 12 of 22 April 2010, work on drafting the Heads of the Climate Change Bill is at an advanced stage and I expect, following Government consideration, to be in a position to publish them shortly.