Climate change and Ireland’s commitments under the Kyoto Agreement are among the greatest political challenges faced by Ireland now. How Ireland responds will have huge implications not just for the environment, but also for the economy, employment, and taxation.
In order to facilitate discussion and debate on these issues, the Labour Party Finance Spokesperson Joan Burton TD is holding a seminar on the subject of Kyoto Commitments, Carbon Taxes and Emissions Trading on Saturday, March 6, 10.30am to 2pm, Liberty Hall, Dublin.
The seminar will be addressed by a range of speakers including:
·David Begg (Irish Congress of Trade Unions),
·Professor John Fitzgerald, (Economic and Social Research Institute),
·Tanya Harrington, (Irish Business and Employers Confederation)
·Eddie O’Connor (Managing Director of Airtricity)
The Labour Party will be represented by Spokesperson on Finance, Joan Burton TD, Spokesperson on the Environment, Eamon Gilmore TD, and Labour MEP for Dublin Proinsias De Rossa MEP. There will be ample opportunity for discussion and debate.
Enlighten
Labour Party Seminar
Kyoto Commitments, Carbon Taxes & Emission Trading
Finance and Future Energy Strategies: Issues for the Irish Economy
Venue: Liberty Hall
Saturday, March 6th 2004
10.30am – 2pm
10 – 10.30: Registration and Coffee
Session 1
10.30 – 10.40: Chairperson’s Introduction and Welcome by Deputy Joan Burton, Labour Party Spokesperson on Finance
10.40 – 11.10: Keynote Address by Professor John Fitzgerald, Economic and Social Research Institute
11.10 – 11.30: Tanya Harrington, IBEC, ‘Climate Change and Competitiveness: Striking the Right Balance’
11.30 – 12.00: Q&A session
12.00 - 12.15: Coffee Break
Session 2 Chairperson : Eamon Gilmore, TD
12.20 – 12.40 David Begg, Secretary, Irish Congress of Trade Unions ‘Kyoto & Eco-Taxation: Who pays the price?’ Fuel Poverty & Rebalancing the Tax System
12.40 – 13.10 Eddie O’Connor, Chief Executive, Airtricity (former CEO, Bord na Mona) ‘Sustainable Energy: The Alternatives, Is Ireland meeting the challenge?’
13.10 – 13.20Q&A session
13.20 - 13.30 Closing remarks by Proinsias De Rossa, MEP