12 Noll 2012, 12:35
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht will meet Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan TD tomorrow, Thursday, 13th December 2012 to discuss Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union and the forthcoming Environment Council of Ministers’ meeting.
Cathaoirleach of the Committee Michael McCarthy TD said: “At the recent UN Climate Change Conference in Doha, Minister Hogan met with many of his EU Environment Minister counterparts to brief them on, and seek their support for, what he said would be an ambitious environmental agenda under the Irish presidency. Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity hear from the Minister on Ireland’s priorities for the presidency of the EU and to discuss in more detail the environmental agenda that he envisages for the sixth month presidency which starts in January.
“The Minister will also address the Committee ahead of the forthcoming EU Environmental Council meeting in Brussels on 17th December. The Environment council brings together the Ministers responsible for matters specifically relating to the environment four times a year. The Council’s aim is protect and improve the quality of the environment and of the human health and contribute to the fight against environmental problems. It also deals with international environmental issues and adopts conclusions on the positions the EU takes at international conferences. Our Committee meeting tomorrow is a valuable opportunity to explore Irish government policy, issues of concern and key priorities in the environment area with the Minister in advance of the meeting.”
This meeting will start in Committee Room 2, Leinster House at 2.15pm tomorrow, Thursday, 13th December 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); 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).