Friends of the Earth briefing on the Government's climate Bill, Jan 2011

Government Bill is weak, but can be strengthened. Bill has been diluted during drafting by vested interests; now weaker than cross-party Oireachtas Committee Bill in key respects

Friends of the Earth welcomes the Climate Change Response Bill 2010, however it needs significant strengthening to be effective. The published Bill is significantly weaker than the Government's Framework Document published in December 2009, and than the commitment to legislation in the renewed Programme for Government. In key respects it is weaker than the cross-party Bill produced by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Change. It bears all the hallmarks of prolonged bureaucratic haggling. The delay in producing the Bill has seen it diluted on behalf of vested interests. Friends of the Earth is urging Senators and TDs to reverse these weaknesses during the parliamentary process to ensure the Bill's maximum effectiveness in safeguarding the long-term public interest.