Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

445. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government further to the recent publication of the National Reform Programme 2014, if he is currently lobbying the European Commission for an overall reduction in Ireland's headline 2020 greenhouse gas reduction target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21018/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As is noted in the National Reform Programme 2014, the setting of Ireland’s target for the year 2020 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the non-traded sector by 20 per cent compared to 2005 levels was associated with significant methodological issues. Nonetheless, despite its very challenging nature, this target is now part of legally binding European Union law in the form of the 2009 Effort Sharing Decision (Decision No 406/2009/EC of 23 April 2009). There are currently no plans to seek a reduction in this headline target: instead, our efforts are focused on engaging with the European Commission and Member States on proposals in respect of climate and energy policies and targets for 2030 and on securing agreement on an overall emissions reductions framework that is fair, transparent and cost-effective, taking due account of Member States’ specific circumstances and mitigation capacities.