Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 28 June 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action

Sectoral Emissions Ceilings: Discussion

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank our witnesses for attending. I will start with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, although this is perhaps not a question for its officials. Is there a commitment, or is it being discussed, that the sectoral ceilings should add up to no more than the national carbon budget passed by the Dáil? There are concerns that we will exceed it. Will the sectoral ceilings align with Ireland's 51% emissions reduction target? Is a final figure that is consistent with legislation and current commitments being ensured across the Departments?

How are we ensuring that there is a fair share of lifting across sectors? What does the concept of doing a fair share mean? What is the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and other Departments is feeding into that? Agriculture is always the hot topic and the contentious space in these discussions. Farmers' representative groups have stated publicly that they feel that they have not been consulted. We heard from the Department's opening statements that there are significant challenges as well as plans. Is a model or direction of travel emerging as regards how emissions reduction targets will be achieved? What does the future of Irish farming look like? It is understandable that farmers are nervous about these ceilings. They have invested significantly and are working under what is in place now. I am not clear as to whether an alternative pathway has been laid out before them. Is one emerging? Where does that situation stand?

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