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Climate Change Adaptation Plans

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019

Tuesday, 23 July 2019

Ceisteanna (13)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

13. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Taoiseach the recurring weekly meetings attended by either him or the Secretary General of his Department at which climate change and or preparations within his Department to enact a climate plan has been an agenda item. [31563/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The Climate Action Plan 2019 To Tackle Climate Breakdown was published on 17 June 2019.

Tackling climate action is the right thing to do, in terms of stabilising our climate, for all of us but particularly the young people here. But it is also beneficial in other ways - it is warmer homes, it is cleaner air, it is shorter commutes, less time in the car. It is also about creating new jobs, new wealth and new businesses for the future. So, even if there were no targets to reach, even if there were no fines that we might incur, this is good policy anyway. It is good economic policy, it is good social policy, it is good environment policy and we just need to make it happen.

During the development of the Plan, it was considered at a number of meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure which I chair, and at a number of meetings of the relevant Senior Officials Group chaired by my Department, before being submitted to the Government for approval. Climate Change has also been discussed, as appropriate, at Government meetings to focus on particular issues, with a view to seeing how Government can best assist the delivery of priorities and commitments. The MAC of my Department has also considered Climate Change at their meetings.

The Climate Action Plan outlines significant new governance structures to ensure that climate policy is implemented including the establishment of a Climate Action Delivery Board within my Department.

The first meeting of the Delivery Board took place on 16 July 2019. The Board is jointly chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and the Secretary General of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. The membership comprises of Secretaries General from Departments responsible for the actions outlined in the Plan.

Questions Nos. 14 and 15 answered with Question No. 11.
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