Eoin Hayes (Dublin Bay South, Social Democrats)
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1692. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the public and private financial resources required and available to support his Department’s plans to meet Ireland’s climate targets by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19090/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I am fully committed to the long-term viability of the Irish agricultural sector, including to our farm families who are the bedrock of the industry. The industry is hugely important in terms of economic activity and employment. The target of 25% reduction in Green House Gas emission by 2030 for the agriculture sector is a challenging target and will require scientific and technological advancements to be achieved.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s report of July 2024 “Ireland’s Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990 - 2023” sets out that Agriculture emissions decreased by 4.6% in 2023. While this decrease represents notable progress, I am conscious of the need to maintain and accelerate this trajectory.

A pathway to enable the sector meet it’s 2030 climate target is set out in the Climate Action Plan which is now reviewed and updated annually in accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021. The Teagasc 2023 Marginal Abatement Cost Curve supports the development of the pathway for the sector. The Marginal Abatement Cost Curve sets out costings for potential mitigation measures, scenarios and pathways.

Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (CSP) is also supporting farmers to transition to more sustainable practices while also supporting family farm incomes, with a budget of €9.8bn. As part of the CSP, my department is providing €1.5bn for the agri-environment scheme ACRES, increased funding for Organic Farming which has increased the area farmed organically in Ireland to 248,000 ha and €260m to improve the carbon efficiency of the suckler herd through genetic improvement. A budget of €1.3bn underpins the Forestry Programme 2023 - 2027 which is the means by which we are implementing the Forestry Strategy and supporting farmers and the industry to reduce emissions through carbon capture.

My aim is to future proof Ireland’s Agri-Food sector for the benefit of our industry, the environment, and our farm families. It is critical that we work together to keep the agricultural sector in Ireland on a positive trajectory to achieving our climate targets.