Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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40. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagements he has had with his UK counterparts in relation to the proposed development of the Rosebank oilfield in the North Sea; if he engaged with them on the affect such fossil fuel expansion would have on their legally binding commitment to net zero; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38180/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, states that climate change is the single greatest threat facing humanity. The Government has committed, in turn, to reacting comprehensively and imaginatively to this challenge, in a manner which ensures that we achieve a rapid reduction in, and reversal of, our impact on the climate. Climate change means the fossil fuel-based economic model is no longer fit for purpose and we must make the necessary structural changes to break the link between fossil fuels and economic progress.

Internationally, Ireland has been leading the transition away from global oil and gas production and towards renewable sources of energy in our role as a founding member of the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance (BOGA), which was launched at COP26 on 11 November 2021.

This first-of-its-kind alliance sees governments and stakeholders working together to facilitate the managed phase-out of oil and gas production. The Government will continue to strongly advocate this approach to all our partners, including the UK.

As a core member, Ireland has signed up to the BOGA Declaration, pledging to support a socially just and equitable global transition. This will be followed-up by relevant action in relation to the issuing of new oil and gas concessions, licensing or leasing rounds, and promoting dialogue on the need for a managed and just phase-out of oil and gas production.