Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Let us get real. I have heard that a few times from the Minister. Deputy Ryan is the Minister with responsibility to deliver on this and he said we are going to meet our budgets. We are not going to meet our first carbon budget. It is very clear that we are not. I am not saying that in order to score political points. Of course there is a need for significant movement in local government. We know that in regard to delivery of active travel. However, there needs to be a recognition that the Government’s approach is not delivering. It is a challenge and the Minister does not have to accept everything that the Opposition says in regard to the design of schemes but it is clear, as the SEAI said yesterday that there was an increase of 17.3% in electricity generation because we are heavily reliant on coal, oil and gas. We support the Minister on delivery of renewables. We want to see that happen. That is why I have a question later on which will deal with that. When will the first carbon budget be exhausted? That is a straight question. I would like a straight answer to it. I do not doubt the Minister's own commitment to this but I severely doubt his Government's commitment to delivery. We cannot get from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to the Committee on Environment and Climate Action. It is very serious. I do not accept that there is a Government commitment to deliver on these budgets. I think they will be missed. There needs to be an acknowledgement of that.

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