Minister for Environment John Gormley today welcomed the United States' Government's dramatic u-turn on a roadmap for dealing with climate change.
Mr Gormley welcomed the deal struck at the United Nations summit in Bali setting out how negotiations on a global warming pact will be conducted before the next climate change summit in Denmark in 2009.
The Green Party leader, who was in Bali for the conference, said the compromise was a workable solution and offered the best chance in a decade for the world to tackle the problem.
"The most important thing is that the roadmap has been agreed by consensus," Mr Gormley said. "All of the countries present at the conference now have a common view of the way forward. The road map sets out the steps which will lead to a new deal on climate change in Copenhagen in 2009.
"I very much welcome the fact that the United States has joined with the rest of the world in a common understanding of the way forward. The US is now inside the tent with the European Union and the rest of the world, working together for a global solution."
It had been widely expected that America would not sign up to any agreement after 11 days of negotiations in Bali and would reject efforts to deal with carbon emissions. However in a dramatic u-turn Paula Dobriansky, the US official who also advises President George Bush on his Northern Ireland policy, agreed to a new two year process to reach agreement on emission targets which will replace the Kyoto protocol.
The US delegation did succeed in ensuring no specific emission targets were set in Bali. But their decision to sign up on an agreed way ahead was welcomed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised the US for showing "flexibility".
Mr Gormley said he wanted Ireland to play an enhanced role in any talks leading up to a comprehensive deal on climate change. He noted the deal recognised all countries in the world had an obligation and role to play in tackling climate change, with the richest nations taking on the greatest responsibilities.
"It provides the mechanisms that will support the poorer countries in developing their economies while limiting their growth in emissions, such as for example assisting them in getting access to and developing clean technology," the minister said.
"Although the Bali deal does not mention binding targets the European Union was seeking, I very much welcome the compromise reached. "The roadmap recognises that very significant cuts are needed in greenhouse gases following on the clear scientific evidence presented this year by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change."