Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 16, inclusive, together.

The Cabinet committee on economic recovery and investment first met on 8 July 2020. It has met on 23 occasions, most recently on 28 November. The next meeting has not yet been scheduled.

Membership of the committee comprises the Taoiseach; the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Employment and Trade; the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, and Transport; the Minister for Finance; the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform; and the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht. Other Ministers or Ministers of State attend when required.

The Cabinet committee on economic recovery and investment is responsible for issues relating to the economy and investment. The Cabinet committee on economic recovery and investment had an initial focus on developing the July jobs stimulus and has since overseen the development of the Government's economic recovery plan, as well as the review of the national development plan. It has overseen the development of the Government's national digital strategy. Regular updates and analysis of economic developments are also provided at these meetings.

Issues relevant to agriculture can arise, as required, at a number of Cabinet committees. This includes the Cabinet committee on economic recovery and investment but can also include other Cabinet committees, such as the Cabinet committee on the environment and climate change. The agriculture sector is the largest indigenous industry in the country and has a key role to play in the economic and social vibrancy of our towns, villages and rural communities, as well as in achieving our decarbonisation targets for 2030 and 2050. The Government works closely with all stakeholders in the sector on key challenges facing the agriculture sector.

In July, the Government reached agreement on sectoral emissions ceilings, including for the agriculture sector. The emissions ceiling for agriculture has been set at a level requiring a 25% reduction in emissions below 2018 levels for the period to 2030. Further work is ongoing to finalise a sectoral emissions ceiling for the land use, land use change and forestry sector.

The revised climate action plan is at an advanced stage of preparation to ensure that the actions it contains are sufficient to meet the reduction targets that have now been made explicit. While openly acknowledging that achieving these targets will be challenging, and that agriculture has a central role in this effort by virtue of its share of Ireland's overall emissions, the carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings are an essential framework to guide our efforts. No sector is, nor can be, unaffected by this shared, all-encompassing but necessary transition.

We will continue to support all sectors through this transition. In October, Government approved the Common Agricultural Policy strategic plan for the period from 2023 to 2027. This will provide almost €10 billion of support to farmers and rural communities, with a specific focus on the contribution of agriculture to environmental and climate goals. This funding, including carbon tax funding ring-fenced for environmental actions, will support sustainable farming practices in Ireland.

Issues relevant to the transport sector can arise, as required, at a number of Cabinet committees, most notably the Cabinet committee on economic recovery and investment. As outlined in the national development plan, the Government is clear in our commitment to deliver quality transport infrastructure and services in a way that addresses the objectives of compact, sustainable growth and regional connectivity, and meets our climate and environmental targets.

As with all policy areas, agriculture, transport and economic issues are regularly discussed at full Government meetings, where all formal decisions are made.

See this speech in context