Results 2,921-2,940 of 12,318 for speaker:Paul Murphy

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: I am a bit taken aback that the Minister did not at least distance himself from it. Does the Minister accept the new research that suggests the potential for soil carbon sequestration on grasslands is much lower, and uncertain at best, compared with what was set out in previous research? Will he ensure that no carbon farming scheme is permitted to operate in Ireland on the basis of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: Presumably, the Minister is aware of recent figures from his Department suggesting that the emissions from peatland forestry were underestimated and, as a consequence, Irish forests are set to become a source of carbon rather than a carbon sink in the 26 years before 2050 because they were planted on peatlands. How does the Minister respond to that information? Does he accept that there has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: I will return to the original point that I discussed with the Minister, which is agricultural emissions being correlated with the total volume of meat and dairy output. The Minister argues that we can at least maintain the same size of meat and dairy output, or even increase that, yet still achieve our targets. Let us hope that he is right if that is the chosen policy. Let us say that he...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: Have an analysis been done of the distribution of emissions, in other words, what percentage of farmers and agrifood companies are responsible for what percentage of emissions? It is not the case that 1% of farmers are responsible for 1% of emissions. It would presumably be distributed quite unequally.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: Will the Minister provide that data in a written note afterwards, stating, for example, that the biggest 10% of farmers are responsible for a certain amount of carbon emissions, to get a picture of that? I think the average small farmer does not have a high degree of responsibility for carbon emissions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: The big farms that we have are responsible for a disproportionate number-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: Let us see the figures to back up that assertion. Citing averages does not tell us anything about distribution. Will the Department consider launching a campaign encouraging people to consume a more plant-based diet?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: I am not a vegetarian or vegan myself but I presume the Minister agrees that vegetarian or vegan diets produce significantly lower carbon emissions than do more meat-based diets. That is just scientific fact.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: Come on, Minister. Do you accept the facts about vegetarian and vegan diets?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: The Department has no problem with Bord Bia promoting the consumption of dairy and meat. I do no see why the Department cannot promote plant-based diets. That would align with the Minister's targets under the climate action plan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: It is possible to have a perfectly balanced diet without consuming any dairy and meat.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: I will start on the Minister’s point that this can be done. I agree 100% that it can be done. I am not a climate doom-monger. It think it is possible. It is important not to prettify what is actually happening, however. If we want to do it, we have to deal with the actual reality and the actual reality is that in every single sector we are off track. If we continue with the plan...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: I do not deny the issue with planning, administration, etc. However, the biggest obstacle we face lies with vested interests, those who profit from the current model, including agribusiness which the Minister before us today is obviously not responsible for. However, he is responsible for the big tech sector and specifically energy usage by data centres. They currently use 18% of our...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: Is the Minister saying that tens of thousands of people are employed in the data centres?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan Review: Discussion (Resumed) (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: I may contribute again later.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: 10. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he will take to ensure the security of transport workers following the attacks on public transport in Dublin city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52851/23]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: 12. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the roll-out of phase 5b of BusConnects; what improvements can be made to the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52850/23]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: 24. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on progress towards meeting the transport emissions reduction targets under the climate action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52853/23]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (30 Nov 2023)

Paul Murphy: 36. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is concerned at the impact that lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport would have on local residents, including noise pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52854/23]