Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)

Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, as an gcuireadh bheith anseo tráthnóna inniu. I thank the Chair, Deputies and Senators for the invitation to appear before the committee today and I very much look forward to working with the committee over the term of this Government. The committee's role in scrutinising the proposed second carbon budget programme is critical and is a cornerstone of the accountability framework set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. The committee's work is vital as part of the democratic process that ensures that our national climate targets are pursued with transparency and rigour. My purpose today is to discuss these proposed budgets with the committee.

Our discussions are framed by the climate Act, which sets out a legally binding objective for Ireland to achieve a climate-neutral economy by 2050 and a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030. The carbon budget system is the primary national legal instrument designed to ensure we meet those targets. It translates our long-term national climate objective into a series of statutory five-year milestones, providing a near-term reference point to guide our domestic policymaking and implementation of that policy. The Act provides a clear process to underpin the adoption of any new carbon budget programme. I know the committee met last week with the Climate Change Advisory Council. As you know, Chair, the council proposes the budgets. The Government, following public consultation, considers these proposals before they are presented to the Oireachtas for scrutiny and final approval. This structure ensures that our decisions are evidence-based and subject to democratic oversight at every single stage of the process.

As the committee is aware, the first carbon budget programme sets out our course to 2030 and was approved by the Oireachtas in April 2022. That programme established a budget of 295 MtCO2eq for 2021-25 and 200 MtCO2eq for 2026-30. Following extensive analysis and updated modelling, the CCAC has now submitted its proposal for the second programme, which is the subject of our discussion today. This proposes a finalised budget for 2031-35. That is carbon budget 3. The proposed carbon budget programme provides Ireland with a strong and deliverable framework for meeting our national climate objectives and our EU and international obligations for climate action and emissions reductions. This pathway outlined in these proposals is ambitious and represents a significant and sustained acceleration of the national effort that is under way. My Department has completed a public consultation on the proposals, ensuring that the views of our citizens and stakeholders inform this process.

I want to be direct about the scale of the challenge. The EPA's projections clearly indicate that, based on current measures, we are not on track to meet our targets for the first two carbon budgets. This is not a reason to abandon our course but, rather, should serve to underline why the legally binding framework is so critical. It removes the option of deferring action and forces us to confront the gap between our ambition and our delivery. Adopting this second carbon budget programme is essential to provide the certainty and stability that all sectors of our economy need for long-term planning and investment within each of those sectors. It solidifies the trajectory to 2040, allowing for the setting of specific sectoral targets and the development of detailed policies and measures in our annual climate action plans that must ensure the legal limits are actually met. Moreover, the carbon budget programme will allow for the development and implementation of sectoral emissions ceilings for the period in question. The process to prepare and implement these ceilings will include consultation with the relevant Ministers - this is a whole-of-government approach - and will provide for technical input from analytical support providers such as the climate action modelling group. As we transition away from fossil fuels and progressively decarbonise, we must ensure that the way in which we decarbonise captures this unique opportunity to improve quality of life for all our citizens. It is important to note also that the transition to a carbon-neutral economy provides enormous opportunities to foster innovation, create new jobs and grow businesses in areas like offshore wind, cutting-edge sustainable agriculture and low-carbon construction.

From a democratic standpoint, it is also important to recognise the mandate for action. The EPA's Climate Change in the Irish Mind found that, in general, the public is highly concerned about climate change, with a large majority acknowledging its reality and impacts. Many are worried about extreme weather and its potential risks to their communities, with strong support for Government action and policy changes.

It is also very important to recognise the progress that Ireland has made to date. While the latest projections from the EPA are a clear signal that we have made real progress, we need to move faster to meet our 2030 targets. This Government is building significant momentum, and the EPA's analysis will help guide the next phase of our work as we accelerate delivery to meet our ambitious climate targets. Progress in recent years provides a foundation for acceleration. In 2023, Ireland achieved its most substantial single-year emissions reduction on record, falling by 6.8%. This is clear evidence that our policies are delivering tangible results. We are successfully demonstrating that a thriving economy and a growing population can go hand in hand with climate action.

Since 1990, we have achieved a more than threefold increase in national income in real terms and supported population growth of nearly 50%. This was accompanied by a significant increase in energy use, particularly until the mid-2000s. The subsequent years continue to post strong growth figures, although now with far greater efficiency in our energy use.

I will leave the statement at that. I circulated it. I am happy to take contributions and questions from members. I thank the committee again for the invitation to be here this afternoon.