Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together.

Climate change is among the most pressing global challenges of our time and addressing it is a central ambition of the Government. As a committed partner in global efforts to combat this shared threat, Ireland has adopted challenging emissions reduction targets at both EU and national levels. We also face our own domestic challenge of adapting to the climate changes we are already experiencing and the more severe changes that we know are coming.

The Cabinet committee on the environment and climate action oversees implementation of the programme for Government commitments in relation to the environment and climate change. The committee last met on 10 June and its next meeting will be scheduled shortly. The committee considers the wide range of issues that require action in Ireland's transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient and sustainable future. The Government will continue to be ambitious in these areas and will work with sectors, communities and households to ensure this transformation is done in a way that is both fair and collaborative. Much work has been done since 2020 and we are starting to see these efforts bear fruit through reductions in emissions. However, we still have a great distance to travel in the years ahead. The Cabinet committee will continue to oversee these efforts, including the implementation of the climate action plan as well as other environmental and energy commitments in the programme for Government.

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