Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1713. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline Ireland’s obligations under EU 2030 energy targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26436/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Paris Agreement was the major outcome of the 21st Conference of Parties held by under United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from 30 November to 12 December 2015. The Agreement was negotiated by representatives of 195 countries and aims to hold the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. It aims to increase the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development.

The agreement is built on the premise of all parties submitting and carrying out Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) outlining the measures they will carry out to reduce their negative impacts on the environment. The European Union, as a single entity, has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels.

The specific responsibilities of individual Member States contributing to this overall EU target have yet to be agreed. The Commission published draft proposals in this regard on 20 July last and analysis is on-going to assess the full implications of these for Ireland. Deliberations are also on-going within the wider EU context. The outcome of these deliberations will ultimately determine Ireland’s contribution, which needs to reflect a level of ambition that is technically feasible, cost-effective and fair, to the overall EU 2030 effort.