Gormley, one of two Green Party ministers in Prime Minister Bertie Ahern's coalition government, was unveiling a study from the country's Environmental Protection Agency on key meteorological indicators of climate change.

The report says that Ireland's average annual temperature has increased by 0.7 degrees centigrade between 1890 and 2004.

Six of the ten warmest years have occurred since 1990.

The analysis also found also found the west, southwest and north coastal regions are becoming gradually wetter as a result of more frequent and persistent rainfall.

"The report is further confirmation that the impacts of climate change are already happening in Ireland and are accelerating," Gormley said.

"This report confirms that annual rainfall has increased in the north and west. Not only is it raining more frequently, but the volume and intensity of rainfall is increasing.

"These conclusions will be self-evident to anybody who has holidayed at home this summer."

Gormley said it showed the "absolute need for the people of Ireland to play their part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change."

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