Minister of State and Fianna Fail T.D. for Clare, Tony Killeen today said that Ireland's policy and contribution on tackling climate change is increasingly shaped by our membership of the European Union, where we in turn can exert influence on the wider world.Speaking during a visit to County Clare by Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Minister of State Killeen stressed the importance of a yes vote in the upcoming Lisbon Treaty referendum. He stated: “The European Union has taken a global lead on Climate Change with a unilateral 20% reduction in green house gas emissions by 2020 and a commitment to step-up this target to 30% in the event of world leaders reaching an effective and meaningful deal in December.”
Minister of State Killeen added that Ireland sought and secured EU agreement to the explicit inclusion of combating climate change as an EU competence in the Lisbon Treaty. “Ireland fully supports the EU policy in tackling climate change and the important role it is playing in the lead up to Copenhagen. There is no better demonstration of the importance and effectiveness of the EU to its citizens and the wider global community,” he commented.
