Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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7. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the annual costs associated with the work of the Climate Change Advisory Council to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34744/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) is an independent advisory body tasked with assessing and advising on how Ireland is making the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050. It was established under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. The CCAC works to provide contributions in critiquing, informing and shaping Ireland’s response to climate change.As part of this work, the CCAC provides regular reports regarding Ireland’s progress in achieving its national policy goals and greenhouse gas emissions targets agreed by the European Union. 

The 2021 Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act strengthened the role of the CCAC, tasking it with preparing and submitting proposed carbon budgets to the Minister of Environment, Climate and Communications for their consideration. To support this role CCAC has been expanded from eleven to fourteen members, and there are provisions that future appointments will provide for improved gender balance and a greater range of relevant expertise 

As part of its work, the Council is responsible for proposing the carbon budget programme to assist the State in achieving its national climate objectives and greenhouse gas emissions targets agreed by the European Union. 

The CCAC’s proposed carbon budget programme was published and submitted to my Department in October 2021.In December 2021, CCAC’s proposed budgets were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and were referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action. 

In February this year, Government approved the carbon budgets as proposed by the CCAC. 

Funding is provided to the CCAC via the Environmental Protection Agency and since its establishment the following amounts have been paid to the CCAC.