Hogan reassures on timeline for climate Bill

Minister Phil Hogan gave written answers to Parliamentary Questions yesterday offering some reassurance on the timing of the publication of results of the consultation and of the Heads of the climate Bill. The questions and answers can be viewed below, or on the Oireachtas website here and here.

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To the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government:

Question No. 492

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the overview analysis of the responses to the public consultation on climate change policy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

- Catherine Murphy.

 

For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 17th July, 2012.

Ref No: 35239/12

 

REPLY

 

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Mr. P. Hogan)

 

The consultation attracted a very strong response, within excess of 600 submissions received. My Department is at an advanced stage in working through these submissions and the overview will be made available online as soon as possible.
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Question Nos. 493 and 498

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date in the fourth quarter of 2012 on which he will issue heads of a proposed climate bill for consideration by the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht; if he expects any delay beyond the end of 2012 in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

- Catherine Murphy.

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the heads of the Climate Change Bill will be published in 2012 as outlined in the road map; if he expects the drafted legislation to then be published in early 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

- Kevin Humphreys.

 

 

For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 17th July, 2012.

Ref Nos: 35241/12 and 35291/12

 

REPLY

 

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Mr. P. Hogan)

 

I propose to take Questions Nos. 493 and 498 together.

 

While I have not fixed a date at this stage, I do not envisage any delay in meeting the commitment to issue heads of a Climate Bill by the end of 2012.

I foresee a central role for the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht in the policy development process, most importantly on the critical issue of coming to a clear national understanding of how to meet our binding EU and wider international mitigation commitments, as well as pursuing national objectives in a low-carbon global economy. In the Programme for the development of national climate policy and legislation, I have allowed time in the first half of 2013 for the Joint Committee to complete and submit a report on national policy development and appropriate legislation, following consultation with stakeholders. I hope to receive the report by the end June 2013 and will consider it carefully before deciding on the final approach to legislation.