Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a long written answer here which I am not going to read out now but I will furnish the Deputy with a copy. The climate action plan follows the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 which commits Ireland to a legally binding target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions no later than 2050 and a reduction of 51% by 2030. These targets are a key pillar in the programme for Government. The climate action plan sets out a course of action over the coming years to progress further Ireland's response. The plan sets out ambitious decarbonisation targets for key sectors including transport, industry, the built environment, electricity and agriculture. The defence sector is not a specific sector identified in the national climate action plan.

The public sector is required to show strong leadership and commitment to drive the decarbonisation goals we have set for ourselves. The defence organisation has a positive track record in this regard. The plan also requires strong buy-in from private sector businesses, householders and others to make a concerted effort to reduce energy usage, conserve water and so on.

An important part of the climate action plan is that public bodies will lead by example. The defence sector is no exception. There are multiple examples of us leading in this space in terms of how we manage buildings and energy management in barracks. We have incorporated that into our capital investment plans in terms of efficiency, energy management and green procurement, which is essential as well.

When we are looking at replacing ships, for example, efficiency and energy management will be a big part of that, which it is. No sector is exempt from driving down emissions and that includes defence as well. That will certainly be factored into our capital investment programme. In fact, it already is.

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