Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)

Unquestionably, there are major challenges with meeting the 2030 targets. Anybody can see that from the EPA projections and previous projections. It is not hopeless though, not in any way, shape or form. I mentioned specifically energy generation because that is going to be the key and cornerstone to a reduction in dependence on fossil in particular and reducing carbon emissions while securing our energy future. The reason I have gone back to 2005 is to show that these things are possible because if we look at where we were on renewables in 2005, 7% of our energy was generated through them. It is now 40%. If I use 2018 as an example, 0.6% of energy was generated through solar. Now on a good day, it is 14%. There are improvements. There are challenges in some sectors, certainly in transport. I have referenced the fact that since 1990, our GDP has grown six times. Our population has increased by 50%. They are the realities that we are dealing with. That is a good thing. We also need to ensure that we continue to transition our fleet, particularly in public transport, and to invest in that. Last year, there were record numbers of public transport users. There were a total of 330 billion public transport user journeys right the way through the year and we can do more. It is a combination of that.

On the land use review that the Deputy asked about, I am meeting Geraldine Tallon this week again. I expect that the review will be published in the coming weeks. It will be an important guide there as well. There remains issues on unallocated savings. It is about increasing the pace of change and increasing delivery. The State has not done well on offshore renewables but we have created the architecture and infrastructure to do that. Five projects off the east coast are into the further information stage in planning. A decision is to be made by An Bord Pleanála. I hope that it is responded to expeditiously. We have a major opportunity with regard to offshore renewables. We will hit aspects within our targets. The overall target is still going to be extremely challenging. It will be very difficult as outlined by the EPA, but that should ensure that we redouble our efforts to do everything we can to tackle climate change and to transition to a greener cleaner economy.

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