Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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111. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that GHG emissions went up by 2.9% in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024; to report on any meetings he has had with the EPA to address this; to report on any meetings he has had with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and or other ministers to address this; to outline his proposed policy response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49105/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) most recent Quarterly Greenhouse Gas Emissions Indicator Report for Quarter 1 2025 shows that emissions rose by 2.9% compared to the same period in 2024. This increase can largely be attributed to higher fertiliser sales, due to delayed purchases in 2024 following adverse weather, and a 3.3% rise in electricity supply.

Quarterly data can provide useful insights but is often influenced by seasonal or one-off factors such as those above and should not be read in isolation. A broader perspective shows that Ireland’s emissions fell by 2% (1.1 million tonnes CO2 eq) in 2024, marking the third consecutive year of decline. Emissions are now at their lowest in three decades despite a larger population and economy.

For example, while an increase in electricity supply contributed to an increase in emissions for this period, the overall proportion of fossil fuel generation continued to decline from 68% in 2018 to 43% in 2024. We get a greater share of our electricity, 35% on average, from onshore wind farms, more than any other country in the EU.

To accelerate delivery, I have established a new Climate Action Programme Board, comprising relevant Assistant Secretaries. This reports directly to the Climate Action Delivery Board, at Secretary General level, which I chair. Its initial focus is on ensuring consistent delivery structures and prioritising high-impact CAP actions.

I regularly receive updates and briefings from the EPA and continue to engage with my Ministerial colleagues on all aspects of delivery on our climate ambitions, including through the Cabinet Committee on Climate Action, Environment and Energy which met in July of this year. With respect to the specific report highlighted above, I can confirm that officials from my Department did engage with the EPA on it, and will continue to do so on matters relevant to Ireland's emissions reduction targets.