22 DFómh 2012, 17:28
The Government’s action programme for the reform of local government Putting People First and the NESC’s interim report on a new national climate policy will be discussed by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht at its meeting tomorrow, Tuesday 23rd October, 2012.
Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Michael McCarthy, TD said: “Last week, Minister for Environment Phil Hogan launched plans for local government reform which would see the number of local authorities reduced from 114 to 31, with all 80 existing town councils abolished, while the number of council seats will be reduced from 1,627 to 950. Tomorrow, Committee Members will have an opportunity to examine the report in detail with department officials and consider how the proposed changes will impact on local government in terms of services provided, efficiencies and cost savings.
Before this meeting, the Committee will hear from Dr Rory O’Donnell, Director of the National Economic and Social Council on interim report Towards a New National Climate Policy. As part of the Department of the Environment’s ‘road map’ for achieving national climate change targets, it sought a report from NESC on how climate change policy can be developed. At our meeting tomorrow, we will have a chance to discuss the report indepth with Dr O’Donnell, particularly the challenges and opportunities for Ireland in meeting its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
We will play an important role in devising climate policy when the Heads of the Climate bill will be referred to the Committee before the end of this year. In the coming months, we’re looking forward to engaging with the Minister and his department in helping to formulate policy on this very important issue. We will also be very interested in hearing from interested parties who wish to contribute to the debate on the issue of formulating climate change legislation.”
This meeting will start in Committee Room 4, Leinster House at 2.15pm tomorrow, Tuesday, 23rd October 2012.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o
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); Niall Collins TD (Fianna Fáil); Noel Coonan (Fine Gael) Leas-Chathaoirleach; Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD (Fine Gael); Luke Flanagan TD (Independent); Kevin Humphreys TD (Labour); Ciarán Lynch TD (Labour) Cathaoirleach; Sandra Mc Lellan TD (Sinn Féin); Tony Mc Loughlin TD (Fine Gael); Michelle Mulherin TD (Fine Gael); Catherine Murphy TD (Independent); Gerald Nash TD (Labour); Brian Stanley TD (Sinn Féin); Robert Troy TD (Fianna Fáil).
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).