A new report on climate change, from the Environmental Protection Agency, has found the temperature in Ireland is currently increasing at twice the global average.
The Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, said action was needed because the impact of global warming was already being felt in Ireland.
The report says that Ireland's average annual temperature has increased by 0.7C between 1890 and 2004. Six of the ten warmest years have occurred since 1990.
The report also found that the west, southwest and north coastal regions are becoming gradually wetter as a result of more frequent and persistent rainfall.
The publication is based on meteorological records from Met Éireann.
Mr Gormley said that by the end of the year there should be a number of initiatives in place to reduce Ireland's emissions.
These initiatives include proposals for rebalancing VRT and motor tax, establishing a climate change commission and new energy efficiency targets for new homes.
However, Mr Gormley added that climate change is a global issue, which needs to be tackled collectively by all countries.
