Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The emissions gap report from the United Nations paints a stark picture when it comes to our climate. UN Secretary General, António Guterres, says: "Present trends are racing our planet down a dead-end 3 C temperature rise" and that "the emissions gap is more like an emissions canyon". The Climate Change Advisory Council here has also repeatedly rung alarm bells and said that the pace at which the Government is implementing agreed climate policy "is not acceptable, given the existential threat and impact" climate change is having on society. It has warned that Ireland will not meet its climate targets. Today, we have a new report that has highlighted that Ireland's transition to renewable energy is progressing much slower than expected and is being hindered by planning bottlenecks, grid capacity and economic challenges. Given that his earlier response was not sufficient, I ask the Taoiseach again what the Government is doing to expedite climate action. Where is the step change we need to see from this Government when it comes to climate action?

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