Sinn Féin MLA Phil Flanagan has welcomed a commitment from Minister of the Environment Alex Atwood to bring forward policy proposals for a Climate Change Bill to the Executive in the autumn.

Mr Flanagan said: "It is a positive move for a Minister to bring forward a strategy in addressing the problems associated with climate change.

"There is scientific evidence that the changes in our climate are posing problems for society and particularly for sectors like agriculture, which has had to adjust to severe deviations in the weather patterns

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"Sinn Féin has brought forward proposals through our team in Leinster House where a Climate Change Bill is also scheduled for 2013.

"I would therefore call on Minister Atwood to ensure that his Department works closely with their counterparts in the South to develop one strategy

"We now have a unique opportunity to develop an integrated, cross border approach to the challenges that face Ireland in meeting our international demands.

"Ireland needs to be at the forefront in regards to moving away from a carbon constrained world; we will not prosper if we do not grasp the renewable opportunities that exist."

(CD)