Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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148. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he continues to liaise with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to ensure that both climate emission reduction requirements are met alongside agri-food objectives, thereby protecting a major national industry of food production together with the need to observe best practice in emission reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41661/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021, commits Ireland to a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050 and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030. Climate Action Plan 2024 was approved by the Government in December 2023. The plan sets out an ambitious all-of-Government response to the challenges posed by climate change and oversight of its delivery is by the Department of the Taoiseach. This is to ensure that critical coordination across all Departments and Agencies is in place.

Following the process set out in the Act, the agriculture sector has been set the target of a 10% reduction in emissions by 2025 and a 25% reduction by 2030. Chapter 16 of the plan outlines how emission reductions can be achieved in the coming years, increasing our ambition for efficiency in the sector while also promoting the diversification of agricultural activities. These actions will both improve animal breeding, feeding and finishing and also encourage farmers to diversify into sectors including organics, tillage and biomethane feedstock production.

Outdoor livestock dominates Irish agriculture and our agriculture sector has an international reputation for high quality and sustainably produced food. Maintaining that reputation remains imperative for our agri-food industries, as 90% of our production is exported.

The delivery of most actions from the Climate Action Plan for the Agriculture and Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry sectors is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). My Department actively supports and works with DAFM on delivery, especially where there are significant policy overlaps in areas such as the Biomethane Strategy and onshore renewables. This requires close and regular engagement between the Departments at the official and Ministerial levels.