The Green Party is calling on the Government To Host A National Forum On Climate Change.

In response to the Publication of the NESC Report 'Towards a new National Climate Policy' Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan said: "I welcome the publication by the National Economic and Social Council of their report 'Towards a National Climate Policy.' Getting our climate policy right is critical not just for our environment but also for economic recovery and for social progress in our country. Delivering a low carbon economy would do more than anything else to lift the country and give us a sense of common purpose for the future."

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"The commentary that we need a 'how to' national debate on creating a low carbon economy rather than just relying on international negotiations centered around 'how much' each country or sector does, is timely. However, a lot will depend on the nature and quality of that debate.

"The report raises the possibility of a new forum in which the success or failures of Irish climate policy could be identified and explored. It also recognises that the cabinet committee system is not best placed to fill that role. We agree and are calling on the Government to establish such a public forum where Irish farming, business, community and environmental groups could participate in an open and honest debate. If that works well it could do more than anything else to raise public support for the changes we need to make."