Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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113. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government who he has met with to discuss the EPA report from 28 May 2025 since it was published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30067/25]

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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164. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government how his Department is coordinating climate action across all Government Departments to ensure Ireland meets its emissions targets under the Climate Action Plan and legally binding carbon budgets. [30319/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 164 together.

The EPA’s latest projections report highlights the urgent need for accelerated delivery of measures to meet Ireland’s 2030 climate targets, and cross-government coordination and the enhanced governance structures being created are essential to help us achieve this. I will be actively driving this action within my two Departments and as chair of the Climate action delivery Board.

The Climate Action Plan sets out the roadmap of actions required to reach our climate targets, including sector specific actions to comply with sectoral emissions ceilings and carbon budgets. The CAP is a whole-of-government document and DCEE engages and works extensively across government in order to produce the Plan.

Cross-departmental CAP delivery taskforces are in place. Governance arrangements have been strengthened, with the first meeting of the new Climate Action Plan Programme Board held in May, involving senior officials from all the main sectors – including energy, transport and agriculture. Its remit is clear: to focus on accelerated delivery of the actions needed to close the emissions gap.

The Climate Action Delivery Board, made up of Secretaries General from all departments involved in climate action, which I will Chair as part of the strengthened governance arrangements I am putting in place, will focus on oversight and removing blockages to progress. The EPA projections and action required to deliver on our targets will be a key area of focus.

The Cabinet Committee on Climate Action, Environment and Energy provides Government oversight on implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to the environment, and climate action. It considers the wide range of issues that require action in Ireland’s transition to our targets and also oversees implementation of the Climate Action Plan. It will next meet in early July, focused on the whole-of-Government response necessary to meet our targets and in tandem deliver the long-lasting benefits that will accrue to our society.

Further networks include the Climate Action Unit (CAU) Network which brings together the Climate Units of all government departments. This complements existing climate action governance structures. The CAUN help to ensure transparency and full visibility of climate action policy and initiatives relevant to all Government Departments. The Network focuses on building capacity amongst CAU colleagues, and exploring organisational or operational issues facing Departments in the delivery of climate action.