Taoiseach ‘should be accountable for gas emission goals’
In a new report published yesterday, the committee proposed the establishment of an Office of Climate Change and Renewable Energy which would operate under the control of the Taoiseach’s department.
Provision for these arrangements should be made in a new climate change law, the Joint Committee on Climate Change said.
The recently-agreed revised Programme for Government commits the Fianna Fáil-Green coalition to such a law. It would place Ireland’s target of reducing emissions by 3% each year on a statutory footing, according to the programme.
The committee welcomed the Government’s commitment to the new law and said it was the only way to ensure that the state, businesses and consumers alike change their behaviour to reduce emissions.
“Ireland’s policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions now needs to be translated into legally binding targets,” the committee said.
“Unless there is a clear regulatory framework supportive of Ireland meeting its EU and international commitments, Government, investors, emitters and consumers will not have a context within which to take behaviour-changing initiatives.”
The committee called for a number of specific provisions to be included in the law. In particular, it recommended that new, longer-term emission reduction targets running to 2050 be established.
It also proposed that the Taoiseach be nominated as the person with overall responsibility for the issue, complete with an Office for Climate Change operating under his aegis.
“Co-operation is required both across the political spectrum and within Government structures,” the committee said.
“One of the obstacles that we have encountered is the lack of inter-departmental co-operation. Climate change legislation needs to facilitate and encourage a streamlined approach. In effect, it can ensure ‘joined up’ Government.
“The proposal that the Taoiseach become accountable for climate change targets is designed to ensure a cross-departmental approach and a dynamic for change.”
Such an approach would have twin advantages, the committee said, as the Taoiseach’s authority would extend across all departments and he would also provide accountability at parliamentary level.
