Senator Bacik Welcomes Climate Change Bill, and Condemns Government Delay

SENATOR BACIK WELCOMES CLIMATE CHANGE BILL, CONDEMNS GOVERNMENT DELAY

Statement from Senator Ivana Bacik

Labour Party Seanad Spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Thursday 13th January, 2011

Senator Ivana Bacik will today lead for the Labour Party in the Seanad on the second stage debate on the Government's Climate Protection Bill.

Senator Bacik will say:

“We welcome the introduction of a climate change law. But we condemn the Government's unconscionable delay in introducing this bill - well into the fourth year of the term of this appalling Government. The consequence of this delay is very serious. Introducing a complex bill during the last dying days of a failed coalition means that there has been less time for consultation and to ensure cross-party support and the support of important stakeholders.

In addition, we are critical of the bill in that it is considerably weaker than the Government's own Framework Document published in December 2009. It is also weaker than the cross-party bill introduced by Liz McManus TD on foot of the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Change.

However, despite these reservations, we in the Labour Party do support the bill. Labour has a strong track record on environmental issues. We have been calling for climate change legislation for some time. I introduced the first climate protection bill in the Seanad in Oct 2007; and Liz McManus' bill was introduced last year. We cannot justify any further delays in progressing climate change law, but we condemn the Government's long delay in introducing this bill; and we urge the Government to strengthen and improve it by accepting our amendments during the Seanad and Dail debates.”

ENDS