Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. On 6 July, along with the Tánaiste and the Minister the Environment, Climate and Communications, I convened an energy summit at Government Buildings. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment also took part, along with speakers from the International Energy Agency and the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities.

The summit brought together representatives of those in the public, private and voluntary sectors whose combined efforts are, and will continue to be, crucial to the decarbonisation of Ireland’s energy systems. The event allowed participants to reflect on national, EU and international developments and to discuss how best to position Ireland to reap the economic, social and environmental benefits of Ireland’s move away from fossil fuels and towards indigenous, renewable energy sources. Those attending were able to share their perspectives and ideas on how the transition can be most effectively undertaken. It was a valuable occasion for me and my colleagues in Government to hear first-hand from those most engaged in this transformation and to discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie before us.

The event reaffirmed this Government’s commitment to moving quickly towards wind and solar electricity generation and away from fossil fuels, reinforcing our electricity network to accommodate this shift and providing the enhanced storage and interconnection capacity that will be required. We also discussed the industrial and development potential that will arise from Ireland tapping into the enormous renewable energy resource that we have on land and at sea. The possibility of Ireland producing far more electricity than we consume is very real. This Government is working to ensure that we make the most of this natural advantage that we enjoy. Government Departments and State bodies, whose officials were present, will use the perspectives and ideas gathered from this event in the further development of policy proposals for Government and in their service delivery arrangements.

The Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out a series of actions in response to the climate crisis, to meet the emissions reduction targets that we have set and to prepare for the impacts of climate change that pose a threat to our people and economy. The Department of the Taoiseach prepares quarterly progress reports on the implementation of actions committed to under the climate action plan. The reports provide a detailed breakdown of completed and delayed actions each quarter. Once approved by Government, these reports are published on the Department’s website. The quarterly reports focus on progress within each of the six high-impact sectors identified: agriculture, land use, transport, energy, buildings and industry. They also provide context for the actions completed and delayed, including sectoral emissions targets and trends, key performance indicators and further detail on actions of particular significance.

The latest progress report for the climate action plan was published on 25 July and refers to actions that were due to be completed in quarter 2 of this year. The completion rate in that progress report stood at 63%, with 32 of 51 actions on schedule. Combining delivery from quarters 1 and 2 gives an overall implementation rate of 72% for the first half of the year. High impact measures completed in quarter 2 include the opening of the targeted agriculture modernisation scheme 3 to fund low emissions slurry spreading, regulations to help a growth in the use of biofuels, delivery of the offshore renewable electricity support scheme auction, ensuring homeowners undertaking energy upgrades have the option of paying the cost net of the SEAI grant and a publication of a roadmap for green hydrogen. All delayed measures from the quarter 2 report have been carried forward for reporting and implementation in quarter 3. The third progress report on the Climate Action Plan 2023 is being compiled and will be published in the coming weeks.

The Cabinet committee on the environment and climate change last met on 10 July 2023, and the next meeting is due to take place on 19 October 2023.

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