Lisbon Treaty is good for the environment
Green Party European Spokesperson Senator Déirdre de Búrca has said the Lisbon Treaty is good for the environment. Speaking at a public meeting organised by the National Forum on Europe in Kilkenny tonight, Senator de Búrca said that the Treaty contained many positive and important environmental provisions.
Senator de Burca said: ”The Charter of Fundamental Rights attached to the Lisbon Treaty states that a high level of environmental protection and the improvement of the quality of the environment must be integrated into the policies of the Union. Furthermore, Article 191 of the Lisbon Treaty commits the EU to promoting measures at an international level to deal with regional or worldwide environmental problems, and in particular combating climate change”.
Under the Lisbon Treaty, for the first time, energy policy becomes a shared competence of the European Union. Article 194 on Energy Policy in the treaty sets the objective of ensuring security of energy supply in the Union. The treaty also refers to solidarity between Member States in the area of energy policy as well as the promotion of interconnection of energy networks. It also commits the EU to promoting new and renewable forms of energy.
Senator de Búrca said that those who are concerned about environmental protection, climate change and energy security in the EU should vote to support the Lisbon Treaty. This treaty makes it clear that tackling climate change is a priority of the EU. I would urge people to vote for the Lisbon treaty and to empower the European Union to become more effective in this critically important policy area.
For further information please contact
Senator Déirdre de Búrca on (086) 806 14 50
