Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have not yet had an opportunity to read the review published by the EU. We have been alerted to these matters by way of recent pronouncements from the EPA. We are subscribing to the view expressed by the Acting Chairman, namely, that there is a challenge in our meeting our 2020 targets. We are not only under pressure in respect of the agriculture and transport sectors but from the energy sector in terms of our renewable energy targets. Meeting our 2020 targets is an issue of concern to us. As members will be aware we are obliged under EU law to comply with these targets. Compliance is not an option: it is binding under EU law.

We have been trying to get it through to Departments that they have a problem. We need now to see their sectoral plans and the colour of their money in terms of their policy positions. We will get this in the autumn. We are concerned about the fact that the State may face the prospect of fines, particularly in the energy area where we are experiencing serious problems arising out of some remodelling done recently. We can achieve balance in the agriculture sector but the transport sector is a pressure point because of our inability to date in getting through our renewable targets in that sector. During the Cabinet meeting in April on national climate policy I conveyed to Government the consequences of our not meeting our energy reduction targets.