Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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81. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which progress towards emission targets are being met in such a way as to achieve the desired result without damage to the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41803/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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This question seeks to ensure that we do not panic about achieving emission targets on the basis that we have made considerable progress in recent years. If one looks at the transport system, in particular the buses of 20 years ago that moved away from the bus stops in a cloud of smoke, that has all been eliminated. Will the Minister of State comment on this?

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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To ensure that Ireland's future economic development is on a sustainable footing we have taken a number of ambitious measures, including the adoption of the 2021 Climate Act, carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings. The ceilings and budgets underpin Ireland's ambitious commitments to tackle climate breakdown, while also increasing our energy security, and putting us in a strong position to introduce net zero agriculture and business models. This provides us with excellent opportunities to encourage and incentivise innovation, while also developing new job opportunities in the green economy.

The latest Environment Protection Agency, EPA, reports show that in 2022 Ireland's emissions fell by 1.9% compared to 2021. This is to be welcomed. During the same period Ireland's economy performed strongly, with employment growing 2.7% to record levels and a real GNI growth of 6.7%. This fall in overall emissions at a time of sustained economic growth demonstrates that Ireland can reverse the trajectory of its emissions while continuing to support job creation, economic growth and socioeconomic development.

The EPA's emissions projections show that under its "with additional measures" scenario, Ireland will only reduce its emissions by 29%, falling short of its 51% target. However, the EPA acknowledges that if all of the unmodelled policies and measures in CAP 23 and the as yet unallocated emissions savings are included, the reduction in emissions could equate to 42%. With these additions and continuing increased climate ambition in forthcoming climate action plans, we are setting a pathway to meet 51% by 2030 and reach net zero no later than 2050.

The preparation of the latest climate action plan included a call for expert evidence, through which industry experts offered evidence-based submissions on the plan. Their insights are helping to ensure that our climate action is pursued in a way that delivers opportunities for Irish business.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. It will give encouragement to all those of us seeking to achieve the targets and make a positive contribution, including agriculture and industry. It is very important to acknowledge this to the various sectors.

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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I thank Deputy Durkan. The core point is that Ireland is reducing its emissions at the same time as it is growing its economy. We are not the only country to do this. Britain went through approximately a decade when it was reducing emissions while at the same time growing its economy.

I am not sure if that is still the case, but it is certainly possible. We should never assume that in order to improve the environment or cut emissions, we have to do economic damage in some way or reduce growth. Our economy is succeeding, and it is doing so while becoming cleaner.