Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was pleased both to open and close the debate to which the Deputy refers and I was here for the entirety of it. It was a worthwhile debate and I think everyone in this House recognises that the climate emergency is the greatest threat that faces humanity. We also realise it involves not only changes for Government but also for every home, worker, enterprise and farm. We need to change how we travel. All of these systems must change dramatically. It is welcome that there was unanimous Oireachtas support for the all-party report and the declaration of a climate and biodiversity emergency. That builds on the work of the Citizens' Assembly and provides a strong platform for an effective implementation plan. That is exactly what I am undertaking. Each Government Department has been asked to examine the referred recommendations that are relevant to it and to come back to me. I hope to integrate proposals from the Oireachtas into the plan we ultimately publish.

One can already see the direction of travel. I have committed that we will raise the proportion of renewables in our electricity system from 55% to 70% by 2030, a significant increase. I aim to roll out the infrastructure so that no non-zero emission cars can be purchased from 2030 onwards. We have ambition but we need to implement a wide-ranging plan and I will be working to implement as much as possible of what has been set out by the committee. I will be bringing legislation before the House to underpin the Oireachtas view.

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