Chairman of the Fine Gael parliamentary party, Martin Heydon TD, has been appointed to the Special Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action.

The Kildare TD says Ireland must redouble its efforts to tackle climate change and ensure environmental sustainability.

Deputy Heydon said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to the all-party Committee on Climate Action.

“I will work hard to ensure the Committee examines the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly and explores new policies to protect our environment and ensure Ireland becomes a leader in this area.

“This is the challenge of a generation, and the issue of climate change needs to be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

“A particular area I wish to focus on is the positive role that agriculture can make on climate action.

“Our grass based system of production makes our beef and dairy sectors much more efficient than most countries. I’d like to work with the committee and sector experts to explore Ireland’s overall land use policy.

“I believe in tackling climate change we must expand the opportunities that processes such as anaerobic digestion offer.

“I look forward to working on these issues and others with representatives of all parties and none as part of our work on this new all party Daíl committee.”