Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Bacik for raising this issue, which is significant for our country and the planet. By now, the Taoiseach will have delivered his speech at Sharm el-Sheikh. I think he summed up very well the imperative of action and delivery. This is something he has pinpointed as being the key issue. Ireland has made significant progress in terms of the overall framework, putting legislation in place, the adoption of the climate action plan, the carbon budget and the sectoral emissions ceilings. A new climate action plan for 2023 will come before the Government shortly. Every line Minister will also bring forward a set of specific measures to give effect to all of those targets and set out exactly how we are going to achieve them.

This is not easy. We know it is not easy when it comes to transport policy, what our farmers are trying to do in terms of the transition they are buying into, the challenges in forestry, energy policy and everything we need to do but there is hope. The Taoiseach is right to highlight the importance of pointing to where we have made progress, while at the same time identifying that much more needs to be done.

I was struck by the latest report from Wind Energy Ireland which said that in October, wind energy provided 47% of the country's electricity. This is a real glimpse of the future when you look at the potential in Ireland for fixed and floating offshore wind energy. These latest figures mean that wind energy has supplied one third, or 33%, of Ireland's electricity demand this year to the end of October. It is one example but it highlights the potential we have as a country when we all put our shoulders to the wheel and focus on what needs to be done. In the years ahead, we can become a global leader in this space and a net exporter of energy to our neighbours in Europe. This is why investments such as the Celtic interconnector, which involves the development of an electricity connection between Ireland and France, are so important for this country.

The Deputy is correct to point to the amount of work we have to do not just as a Government, although it is incumbent on us to lead, but also as a people. I believe the Irish people will lead and deliver on the commitments we have entered into. I can assure the Deputy, the House and the Irish people that the Government will not be found wanting because the next generation and future generations will not thank us if we shirk this and do not deliver on our commitments to them.

One specific commitment we gave related to climate finance. The Government gave a commitment that it will increase from €93 million to €225 million over the next four years as a tangible manifestation of our commitment to supporting developing countries which, unfortunately, are bearing the brunt of the excesses elsewhere in the world.

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