An expert panel has been appointed to advise the Government on climate change.

The group will be led by John Fitzgerald, formerly of the ESRI, and will be independent from the Government.

The Environment Minister also wants input from the public on how Ireland can transition to a low-carbon economy by 2050.

Ireland has been set targets by the EU to reduce its carbon emissions by 20% by 2020, with further targets for 2030.

However Minister Alan Kelly admits those targets may not be reached, saying he thinks the targets Ireland signed up for were 'too high':

The plans for a national low-carbon transition and mitigation plan to 2050 will be referred to as the National Mitigation Plan.

The Department of the Environment says "a primary objective of the NMP will be to bring a clear and strong focus to both the challenges and the opportunities of transitioning to a low carbon future, and the importance of a positively-focussed and cost-effective national transition agenda.

"It will also track the implementation of steps already underway, and identify additional measures in the longer term to ensure that Ireland does its part in contributing to both EU and Global objectives in addressing the challenges ahead," the department adds.