Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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423. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport whether sustainable transport and the use of sustainable aviation fuel will be central priorities during Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47128/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The formulation of Ireland’s Presidency priorities and policy programme is progressing, guided by the EU’s Strategic Agenda for 2024–2029, the European Commission’s legislative proposals, and Ireland’s national priorities within the EU. Input from European partners and the evolving legislative agenda under the Presidencies of Denmark (July–December 2025) and Cyprus (January–June 2026) will also inform our approach.

Ireland is actively engaging with its Trio partners—Lithuania and Greece—at both official and ministerial levels to develop a coordinated Trio Presidency programme, ensuring continuity and coherence across the 18-month period from mid-2026 to the end of 2027.

Ireland’s Presidency priorities will focus on addressing shared challenges across the Union and advancing a constructive policy agenda that benefits all EU citizens. The final programme will be published in June 2026, shortly before the Presidency begins.

A series of domestic stakeholder consultations is scheduled for this autumn to ensure that the perspectives of businesses, civil society, youth organisations, and other groups are reflected in the policy programme.

Given the importance of transport to the Irish economy and society, and the scale of the EU decarbonisation challenge, sustainable transport is an area which is being considered as part of the process.

Transport accounts for approximately one quarter of EU emissions. More sustainable transport in the EU is therefore crucial to achieving the European Green Deal aim to cut net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55 % by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, by means of sustainable fuels, modes, and technological solutions.

As per the 2024 Draghi report, the EU's decarbonisation targets pose significant challenges for transport, particularly the aviation and maritime sectors. It is widely recognised that sustainable fuels are crucial for decarbonising aviation, maritime, and heavy-duty vehicles.

In recognition of this, the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan, which was announced in the European Commission's 2025 work programme with publication planned for the third quarter of 2025, will provide a strategic framework for supporting sustainable transport fuel production and distribution. The Plan is expected to take the form of a communication and will be based on studies and input from industry and the European Investment Bank. Its aim is to propose improvements to legislation related to sustainable transport, to map the existing instruments, and to facilitate the roll-out of measures already covered in EU legislation.