In January, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government gave the House an undertaking that he would do two things with regard to the climate change Bill. He committed to bringing the heads of the Bill to the joint committee and to publishing the Bill before the end of the year, but neither action appears to have happened. What is the position on this Bill? I would also like to raise a matter I have raised previously, namely, the Antarctic treaty. In excess of 40 countries have signed this important international treaty. The Tánaiste indicated in correspondence some time ago that this matter was being dealt with by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Will he update us on the current position?

With regard to the climate Bill, a policy analysis being conducted by the NESC is still under way and it is expected the Bill will be published next year. I will revert to the Deputy on the Antarctic Bill.