Sinn Féin spokesperson for Environment, Community & Local Government Brian Stanley TD has challenged the Minister for Environment Phil Hogan, "to seize the opportunity to tackle climate change on an all-Ireland basis now that the Assembly will be introducing a climate change bill".

Deputy Stanley said: "Now that the Stormont Assembly will be introducing a Climate Change Bill Minister Hogan has no excuse not to introduce a similar bill here. Minister Hogan must give a date for the introduction of a Climate Change Bill. It is ridiculous to think that the challenges of climate change will stop at the border.

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"We now have a unique opportunity to develop an integrated, cross border approach to the challenges that face Ireland in meeting our international demands. An all-Ireland Climate Change Bill is the logical way to progress this issue.

"We must also engage fully with the assembly to ensure the bill is all-Ireland in nature. The bill must be time framed and must go beyond simply meeting EU standards. We have an opportunity to set new standards which will ensure that the negative impact of climate change will be tackled on an all-Ireland basis."

Sinn Féin is urging Minster Hogan to meet with his Northern counterpart to agree how to proceed with an integrated, all Ireland approach to tackling climate change.

(CD)