Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2015
23. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the climate change adaptation plan for transport will be published, given that his Department's Statement of Strategy 2015-2017 stated it would be published in March 2015. [44881/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill creates a statutory obligation for a number of sectors, including transport, to develop sectoral adaptation plans. When enacted, this legislation will provide for the making of these plans within three months of the publication of a new National Adaptation Framework.
In advance of this legislation, my Department, in consultation with key transport agencies and service providers, has been making good progress on developing a plan for transport.
The plan will effectively consider our knowledge base, our vulnerabilities and adaptive capacity to climate change and provide a list of options for the transport sector spanning the short, medium and long terms. In order to advance this work, a stakeholder team was established last year, which consists of representatives from public transport companies, port companies, airport authorities and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. In addition to my own Department, the team also has representatives from South Dublin County Council and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.
Officials from my Department are also engaging with other sectors and local authorities through representation on a Steering Group chaired by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Such collaboration seeks to secure a cohesive approach to a multi-layered adaptive strategy for Ireland.
Adaptation planning is crucial for transport as a key player in the Irish economy. It makes sense to future-proof the system so that we can continue to accrue the many benefits of transport to the economy and Irish society in general.
My Department is currently working closely with the Environmental Protection Agency to bring a draft to public consultation in the first quarter of 2016 with a view to publication later in the year.
