‘Roadmap’ for laws to fight climate change unveiled
Environment Minister Phil Hogan pledged to bring in legislation to tackle the issue by the end of next year.
The proposals include a major public consultation on climate policy to conclude by April, with heads of the main points of legislation published by the end of the year.
Friends of the Earth gave the move a broad welcome.
“This timeline lacks urgency but it sets out in impressive detail, a step-by-step plan, to pass climate legislation by the end of 2013.
“The roadmap provides welcome clarity about the Government’s commitment to passing a climate law and outlines the opportunities for public participation in its development,” said director Oisin Coghlan.
The move follows pressure from the influential Dáil environment committee, chaired by Cork TD Ciarán Lynch.
He said: “This is a major step forward and means we now have a clear way ahead of us.
“The committee has been very robust in forcing the pace with this important legislation,” he added.
The Oireachtas Committee will make key recommendations before the end of June 2013 with the Government bringingin the final bill at the end of next year.
