Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Almost one year has elapsed since President von der Leyen presented the European Green Deal setting out an ambitious pathway towards making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The agenda of the upcoming European Council includes the aim of agreeing a new EU emissions reduction target for 2030. These discussions do not often arise so I ask the Taoiseach to use the opportunity to the fullest to strengthen our commitment to proposed measures to tackle the climate crisis. I draw the Minister of State's attention to a letter that my colleague, Deputy Brian Leddin, in his capacity as Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action, sent to the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan. The committee urged the Minister to support the European Parliament's newly-agreed position that emissions should be reduced by 60% over 1990 levels by 2030. The Taoiseach has been active in recent European Council meetings in working with other countries to support increased climate ambition at a European level. While Ireland has been described as a laggard in terms of climate action, we do have a proud record of constructive multilateralism on the international stage. With the Taoiseach's support, this new Government's increased ambition on emissions targets can be transposed onto the European stage to effect meaningful change across the Continent.

I wish to express my support for the Oireachtas committee's call for increased ambition, while also acknowledging the challenges this will pose for the community of European nations. I am under no illusions that a 60% emissions reduction target will be challenging in the extreme. Each additional percentage point of our ambition will be more difficult than the last. It is vital in this process that we bring communities with us and protect the most vulnerable in our society. Indeed, Ireland faces one of the biggest challenges in responding to calls for greater climate action. Between 1990 and 2018, emissions across the EU 27 decreased by 21% but in Ireland they increased by 9%. Each European country faces its own challenge in reducing emissions. For some, it is the widespread use of coal for electricity generation and heating or the presence of industry. Our twin challenges are reducing emissions from agriculture and transport, which together make up over half of our non-traded emissions.

This Government has declared unprecedented ambition in halving our emissions in a decade. It will be extremely hard to meet this target while continuing to protect farm family incomes and maintain connectivity in our communities. The challenge is definitely necessary but it is by no means easy. If the road ahead is difficult, it also brings with it opportunities. We have a huge untapped resource off our south and west coasts. If the last European century was powered by the coal fields of Silesia and Brandenburg, the one ahead may well be powered by Atlantic wind. We are laying the foundations for this in our Marine Planning and Development Management Bill, the necessary step to kick start the off-shore wind revolution. In Waterford, Limerick, Wexford, Wicklow and Cork, we have ports that are connected or adjacent to railway lines. We also have access to the very best of engineering expertise. It may well be that our blessing to Europe going forward is go mbeidh an ghaoth go brách ag do chúl. While our recent record on climate action may be poor, the programme for Government indicates that there will be a sea change in our future ambition. In this context, I urge Ireland to support the European Parliament's call for a more ambitious 60% reduction in emissions. It will be difficult to get all countries on board. Ambitious emissions reduction is hard for Ireland and will be hard for Europe but it is the right thing to do. It is right for Ireland, Europe and the planet, for this generation as well as generations to come.

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