Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

9. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to reduce carbon emissions due to energy production as part of the transition to a low-carbon society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21589/16]

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Dealing with two Smiths in a row is probably too much for the Minister, but we are not related, thank God.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is the Deputy sure?

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I ask this question in the light of the fact that the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and the European Commission's country report have shown that Ireland is falling short in meeting its 2020 targets. Despite what some noble Kerrymen might say about the man upstairs, climate change is a scientific fact, one to which we must respond with a greater sense of urgency and concern.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Achieving our climate and energy objectives requires a whole-of-government approach and I am working closely with relevant colleagues in this regard. The White Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland sets out a vision of a low-carbon energy system in which greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector will be reduced by between 80% and 95% of 1990 levels by 2050, 400 months from now, and where alternative and renewable energy sources will play a dominant role in our future energy mix. In addition, the programme for Government sets out a range of priority climate actions and interventions, a number of which have a direct bearing on the energy efficiency and renewable energy sector. In combination, these will help to increase and diversify Ireland's renewable energy mix across the electricity, heating and transport sectors.

The EU renewable energy directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy demand from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat demand and 10% of transport demand from renewable energy sources, with the transport target being legally binding. The Government has a range of policy measures and schemes to incentivise the use of renewable energy sources and although good progress towards the target has been made to date, meeting the 16% target remains challenging.

The renewable energy feed-in tariff schemes support the development of a range of renewable electricity technologies, including those associated with hydroelectricity, biomass combustion, biomass combined heat and power, landfill gas and onshore wind energy projects. It is estimated that 25.3% of electricity was generated from renewable sources in 2015.

Work is ongoing in my Department on the development of a new renewable electricity support scheme to encourage the development of Ireland’s abundant and indigenous renewable energy resources. The scheme will examine the viability of supporting a range of new renewable energy technologies in Ireland, including solar, bioenergy and ocean energy technologies, and will help to further reduce emissions in the electricity sector.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My experience so far of the plans and strategy of the Government, which experience is borne out by many in this Chamber and also by reputable organisations such as Trócaire, is that there is no genuine, concerted, holistic plan using joined-up thinking to take on the considerable challenge of reducing our carbon emissions. In order to meet targets set for 2020, policies and plans have to be developed with understanding, ambition and targets that will increase consistently and persistently in the next decade. Given that we found it so difficult this morning even to secure a legislative commitment that an environmentalist would be included in the board of SEAI, I would not be too hopeful, unless the Minister can convince me otherwise. So far, experience shows that it will be like pulling teeth. I will make a point which proves this when I get to speak again.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In fairness, we are but 71 days in office. It is great that the Deputy has gained such experience in those 71 days to make a call like this on the matter. As she knows, I committed earlier today that we would actually appoint an environmentalist. We can talk about the theory all we like, but the reality concerns practice. I agree with the Deputy that we should have someone with environmental expertise in the SEAI. There is considerable merit in that suggestion and I am willing to do as proposed and work with the Deputy in that regard. I gave that commitment to the committee earlier today, just as I made a commitment to all colleagues earlier today in dealing with each of the amendments tabled and trying to come up with practical solutions within the confines and time limits laid down. The reality is that we are all anxious to have the legislation enacted and operable before the summer recess. As the Deputy knows, there has been a delay here by comparison with what has happened in Northern Ireland where legislation has already been passed.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I accept that the Minister made a commitment, but he was very opposed to including it in the legislation. We are here to legislate and change legislation. As I pointed out to him, a commitment by an individual is not the same as having legislative change which insists on there being an environmentalist on the committee to fight climate change. That is what we will continue to fight for.

Trócaire, in its document "The Burning Question" which is well worth reading and which the Minister has probably read-----

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have read it.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

-----is calling on the new Government to review the investments it makes to bring them into line with international climate change obligations. The NTMA Act allows the Irish Strategic Investment Fund which is to be reviewed to invest in fossil fuel production. One of the worst investments made was an investment by the State in a TransCanada pipeline from the tar sands in Alberta to the Gulf of Mexico. It involves one of the dirtiest means of extracting fossil fuels from the planet and we have a direct investment in it. There has to be joined-up thinking by the Government on how we should seriously set out to achieve these targets.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have read the report and noted what Trócaire has stated about investments. We are examining this matter. It is not just about making legislative change; it is also about real change, not just in the way we do things but in changing the attitudes and perceptions of the public. Part of the difficulty was that the last Government failed to recognise that while one could change the law, as it did in many areas - it was sometimes opposed by Deputy Bríd Smith from outside the House - it did not necessarily translate into real change on the ground that would bring people with it in working with it on legislation that would have a practical and real impact. That is what is important.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is a small amendment to which the Minister is opposedt.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On the broader issue, we are examining the heating sector. There is a lot that will be coming down the tracks within the next 12 months. I look forward to the Deputy's participation in some of the public consultations and getting feedback from her.