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

5. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the proposed carbon budgets will be discussed in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16747/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050 and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030, compared to 2018 levels. As part of an enhanced governance framework to reach this target, the Act also sets out the processes and timelines for settling the carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings.

Following the process set out in the Act, in October 2021, the Climate Change Advisory Council submitted to myself, and published, the first proposed carbon budget programme. In December 2021, I caused a copy of this proposed carbon budget programme to be laid before both houses of the Oireachtas. Dáil Eireann then agreed to refer the carbon budget programme to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action for their consideration. On the 1st of February, the Committee voted to support the proposed carbon budgets and on the 7th of February it published its report recommending that the proposed budgets be adopted by both Houses of the Oireachtas. On the 22nd of February I brought a Memorandum for Government to the Cabinet and received approval for the carbon budgets as proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council. On the 24th of February the carbon budgets were laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas for their consideration and approval as soon as may be. They are due be discussed in both Houses in the first week in April.

Once the economy-wide carbon budget programme has been approved by the Government and both Houses of the Oireachtas, I will prepare proposed sectoral emissions ceilings for Government consideration and approval.