445 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Climate Change Bill will be debated in the Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36563/10]

448 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding a matter (details supplied) [36832/10]

459 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he intends to bring forward a Climate Change Bill. [36203/10]

460 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the long overdue Climate Change Bill; when the heads of the Bill will go before Cabinet for its approval. [36216/10]

461 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the Climate Change Bill; when he expects the legislation to be finalised and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36235/10]

463 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Climate Change Bill will come before the Dáil in view of the fact that the Bill is still on list C of the Government’s legislative programme and that no progress appears to have been made since the outcome of the climate change conference in Copenhagen last December; if he will provide an outline of the contents of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36333/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 445, 448, 459, 460, 461 and 463 together.

While completion of the Heads of the Climate Change Bill has taken somewhat longer than anticipated, my priority is to ensure that we get the structure and proposed provisions right. I intend this Bill to be both ambitious and progressive, providing a robust basis for effective transition to a low-carbon future that is both environmentally and economically sustainable.

Drafting of the Heads of the Bill is now at an advanced stage and I expect the draft Heads to be ready for consideration by Government shortly. Following approval, the Heads will provide the basis for stakeholder consultation on the proposed structure and provisions of the Bill.