221. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in regard to his recent statement that climate change deniers need to be swept aside, if he is aware that everyone accepts that the climate has been, is and always will be changing, though there are many, including eminent climatologists and scientists, who question whether that change is anthropological, or man-made; the way in which he will sweep these people aside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19223/14]

The Deputy refers to comments I made as part of my address to the OPW Flood Risk Management Conference on 10th April 2014.  My remarks reflect national and international agreement that climate change is a fact that must be addressed. I would refer the Deputy to the most recent IPCC report on the matter.