Paul Lawless
Question:90. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the amount of carbon emitted in the State in each of the past ten years. [26603/26]
Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions
Questions Nos. 88 and 89 taken with Written Answers.
Climate Change Policy
This Government has signed Ireland up to a number of binding carbon targets which carry enormous fines for the taxpayers of this country. Will the Minister and Ministers of State provide an update on where Ireland stands with regard to those targets and on the potential fines that this State will face in 2030?
The Government is committed to delivering on Ireland's responsibility to address the climate crisis. Work remains ongoing across Departments to carry out climate mitigation efforts every day. The roll-out of retrofitting, renewable energy and more affordable electric vehicles, EVs, continues at pace. Ireland now has the lowest level of greenhouse gas emissions in over 35 years, despite a population increase of more than 1.5 million, an additional 1 million new homes and 1 million extra vehicles on our roads.
The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, compiles Ireland's national greenhouse gas emissions inventories. As the data requested by the Deputy covers a ten-year period, and given time constraints, I will provide him with a tabular statement setting out the exact emissions data for each year, as requested, and confine myself now to highlighting the most significant trends from the data.
The year 2024 marks the second successive year that our national emissions have fallen below the 1990 baseline. The 2024 figures follow a substantial 4 Mt CO2 equivalent reduction in 2023, the largest annual reduction since 2010 to 2011. This demonstrates that our climate policies are taking effect. The delivery mechanisms underpinning these emissions reductions include a fivefold increase in renewable capacity since 2005 and a rapid uptake in EVs and retrofits. Furthermore, the Government has approved an investment of €18.9 billion in our electricity grid which underpins our continued roll out of clean energy.
It is really important that the Government understands that the targets Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have signed the Irish taxpayer up to carry with them significant fines. According to the Climate Change Advisory Council, CCAC, and the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, IFAC, the fines involved range from €3 billion to €28 billion. The Minister of State has responsibility for this. I am asking him about the fines. What are the factors that will determine whether we face fines of €3 billion or €28 billion? The Government is accountable for this. It signed the Irish taxpayer up to these incredible fines. Where are we in relation to this? What are we likely to pay in fines? What cost-benefit analysis has been done? What are the Department's current projections in relation to these fines?
As I said earlier, we are making significant progress and we need to continue that pace and ensure that we have full delivery of all planned measures in regard to our legally binding targets. That is exactly what we are intending to do. Let us be clear, we have the policies and the necessary funding in place and the governance is being strengthened. The Government has continued to remove blockages and accelerate projects. We have focused on the -impact actions. We have a climate action plan that is more focused, covering the carbon budget period. We will also have implementation oversight. We want to ensure that we continue to upgrade homes, bring more renewable generation on stream and have cleaner transport. That is our focus and that is responsible government. That is what we are trying to achieve together, and it is making a significant impact.
A responsible Government would be able to answer basic questions on the fines that we are going to face and that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael signed us up to. The Minister of State mentioned significant progress and stated that policies are in place. Policies should have been in place before the Government signed us up to these measures. We have been laggards in relation to this. In fact, when the Government signed us up to these targets in 2023, it accepted an increased target of 42%, when Ireland was already missing its original target of 30%. What was the basis for that decision? The Minister of State talks about responsibility. I am asking him basic questions. Can he outline the level of fines we will face? Is it going to be on the lower end, at €3 billion, or the higher end, at €26 billion? What are the factors that will determine that? What are the policies that the Government is implementing today? I ask the Minister of State to give an update in relation to this.
Just to address the rhetoric and some of the-----
No, the fines-----
----- issues that the Deputy is raising.
Not the rhetoric, the fines.
Sit down.
Answer the question.
Allow the Minister of State to answer it.
Relax.
Go ahead, Minister.
We are trying to have a civil conversation on oral parliamentary questions. As I said earlier, we have reduced our CO2 emissions below 1990 baseline figures for the second consecutive year, and we are making significant progress on expanding home retrofits and bringing more renewable energy on stream. The best response we have made in recent years is that our emissions are falling. That is the reality. Our investment is unprecedented, and we want to do even more. Our policies are being implemented across all sectors, including energy, homes, transport and land use. Most importantly, in the here and now, we have not paid 1 cent in EU fines, absolutely not. Not €1 has been diverted away from public services. No cheques have been written by the Government in that regard. That is because we have chosen to act, not to delay or deny.
What about IFAC, the climate advisory council and the €26 billion? Has the Minister of State no idea? Come on.
We will not dismantle our climate policy. We have continued-----
The Minister of State should conclude.
Those warnings were calls for compliance. Check out the facts. They are the facts.
The Minister should address his remarks through the Chair.
With the permission of the Members, we will go back to Priority Question No. 87 in the name of Deputy Byrne. He has brought a note and has apologised for being late.
Nuclear Plants
Malcolm Byrne
Question:87. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will consider nuclear energy as a method to meet Ireland’s future energy needs; if he will facilitate the development of small modular nuclear reactors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26493/26]
I know of the Deputy's interest in this area as he and I have discussed this on a number of occasions. Currently, the Department has no plans for the development of nuclear power, including small modular reactors, as part of Ireland's electricity system. As the Deputy is aware, there are two specific legislative prohibitions on nuclear power in place in Ireland. Both the electricity legislation, in section 18(6) of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, and the planning legislation, in section 182 of the Planning and Development Act 2024, prohibit the development of nuclear fission for electricity generation. Those provisions would need to be replaced as a first step if we were to plan for the introduction of domestic nuclear fission energy generation.
The reality is that, as things stand today, it is not clear to us that public opinion is in favour of removing those legislative bans on the development of domestic nuclear power plants for electricity in Ireland. Building that majority would require an extensive conversation with the people of Ireland. There have been a lot of conversations about who represents the people of Ireland in recent days. Nonetheless, I think there is probably a consensus across the House that the notion of moving ahead with the introduction of the generation of electricity with a nuclear base to it, regardless of the system, would not gain a social licence in the current climate.
I am conscious, in my daily life as a representative of the people of Clare, of the pushback that is currently in existence regarding wind energy and the permissions for wind turbines. They are hotly contested, objected to in every possible way and then taken to judicial review. I do not think there would be too many at a public meeting in support of a nuclear reactor, regardless of the setback distance. I think we have a way to go in that regard.
The reality is that we are already using nuclear energy in this country, as the Minister of State knows, because we have to import through the interconnector. The level of that import has grown in the past few years from 10% of our energy in 2023, to 15% in 2024, and to 17% in 2025. Of what we are taking already, a lot of the energy is provided through nuclear energy. I know the Minister of State is a strong supporter of the Celtic interconnector with France, and we know the majority of energy that is produced in France is produced through nuclear energy.
I do not believe we are going to see an overnight change. This is not something that is going to happen immediately but to completely rule out a discussion on using this form of energy is wrong. As part of the long-term strategy for the State, it is something we have to consider.
Nobody wants to rule out the discussion but from a Government perspective, for us right now, it is about action and about meeting our targets on the demand for energy. Our efforts are concentrated on capturing wind to bring the electrons ashore. Of course, we take electricity from France that has its source in nuclear energy. Nobody has a problem with that. The French have a lot of expertise in that area. I think we are better concentrating on an area where we have an abundance of electricity off our shoreline. We are developing expertise in that area, and we can bring that on relatively quickly.
I am conscious that many nuclear plants have been in production for decades at this stage, and they are still not generating electricity. Our targets are towards 2030 and 2040. We are heading in the right direction with the strategy that we have. As for a conversation about it, we are all open to that but at the moment, the Government is moving beyond just talking about stuff. We want to get things done, and we are getting it done in that regard.
Our transition to renewables is critical. The Minister of State knows that I strongly support all of the investment that we are seeing in wind and solar, and I want it to happen much more quickly. The question is around future capacity, when we are looking to 2040 and beyond, and whether enough will be generated even at that stage by renewables. Given what we have seen with the types of models we are talking about, I specifically asked about small modular nuclear reactors with regard to being able to fuel our future digital infrastructure, for instance, data centres, in the context of this being a digital economy. I believe it is something that needs to be considered. I accept this is not something that is going to happen immediately, but when we are looking at Ireland's future energy needs going to 2040 and 2050, this green technology, which it is, has to be part of the discussion.
Absolutely. While the debate and discussion are somewhat academic at the moment, it is appropriate that we are looking that far ahead because we do not want to find ourselves in the situation that we currently do - reaching a point where there are constraints on our grid. The lesson we have learned from that is that we now have to get the generation piece right. I really believe in what we are doing on the renewables side, in solar, wind and offshore wind. There are opportunities for floating offshore wind as we move forward, which will bring an even greater quantum of electricity onshore. We are also looking at the smart use of the grid. With interconnection, I think we are in a good space with the plans, which will get us to 2040 and, I believe, 2050 and beyond in terms of the quantum of electricity that can be bought ashore. There is the potential for us to be net exporters, particularly in relation to green hydrogen and ammonia, which can form part of the storage component of that offshore wind electricity.
Nuclear Plants
Darren O'Rourke
Question:91. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is considering building nuclear power plants in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26919/26]
It is clear from the last priority question, and from the comments from TDs, MEPs and the Taoiseach himself, that Fianna Fáil has gone nuclear, probably in more ways than one, in the past 24 hours. I wonder if the Government is going nuclear.
I thank the Deputy. His sense of humour, as always, is timely and appreciated.
We are also renewable.
We can all be renewed.
The two questions were separate but we have the opportunity to follow one with the other. It is very clear that other countries have a considerable advancement in relation to the use of nuclear energy as a method of driving their economic activity and producing electricity. They have been doing it for decades and have made certain advances in that area. We have not been in that race due to decisions that went back to the early 1970s on Carnsore and other matters. It has been very clear that no social licence really exists among the general public for that.
What we have been doing in recent years is concentrating on capturing clean energy.
That is the one thing about wind and solar; they are absolutely clean. Nobody really talks about the storage of the by-product or the waste product from nuclear energy, which is, in most cases, dumped at sea, albeit, we believe, in a very safe environment. We would be better to concentrate on what we have and the fact that would not have to import all that much by way of equipment. We have the knowledge and experience, which we are developing, and there is a great opportunity for employment, particularly in coastal communities away from the centres, which would have had a greater level of employment in the past.
Pardon the pun - I do not like the phrase - but there is a double win or a win-win here as opposed to a "wind-wind". There is a win-win with the wind, and we need to continue to advance that. We are planning ahead with the designation of sites around our shoreline and offshore from now to 2040. We are also looking to 2050. We will have completed the programme of designation by the end of 2027. That will provide significant clarity to those investing from outside.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I appreciate his response. I wonder about this new focus on nuclear energy. There has been a lot of commentary and priority questions in respect of it. I mentioned the newspaper headlines which state that the Cabinet is considering it. I am deeply concerned about this matter from a number of perspectives. The Minister of State touched on it when he referred to the waste involved, public support and, more importantly, the fact that Ireland's strength needs to be in the delivery and advancement of renewable technologies, particularly offshore wind. That is our great strength. Others have strength, well-developed for decades, in the area of nuclear energy, and we will use some of that. I do not see a contradiction in that regard. We need to play to our strengths. The real risk here is that we get distracted, go down a rabbit hole and continue to miss the really important milestones that we have to reach. That is where the focus needs to be.
I agree. From a departmental perspective, we are not losing focus. We are absolutely targeting this. We are looking at interconnection as well. As the Deputy knows - the North-South interconnector is kind of in his area as well - we will have the Celtic interconnector. We want to build a more complex grid right across the European Union, which will help to balance the load, the demand and the generation, and we can do that. However, there is nothing wrong with accepting an academic debate. I do not say that in a throwaway manner. Of course, it always good to have checks and balances and if there is an academic debate going on, we will facilitate that and participate in it but our action-oriented plan is about capturing the wind, both onshore and offshore. It is about putting in place a structured grid that will allow electricity to be used without constraint across the State. We want to connect North to South, which is an important one, and then there is the Celtic interconnector. We also need to look then to other storage opportunities, which we have at the moment in relation to battery, but we need to do more than just an academic conversation around hydrogen because there is demand for that and for ammonia right across Europe at the moment.
On the opportunity to innovate, I had correspondence this week on how we are further developing and innovating in our existing offshore projects, and how they are coming back and refining their proposals in a really innovative, progressive and environmentally considerate way. Of course, we need to think of the potential implications of nuclear energy, particularly in terms of waste but also in the context of planning consent. We need to think about base-loading. We have renewables. We should have more and a lot more but we also need to look at battery technology.
On data centres, I am fundamentally opposed to the idea that we would bring nuclear power plants here in order to further expand our data centres. The opposite needs to be the case. Our data centres need to play a helpful role in advancing our renewables and balancing our grid, not the opposite.
I am in broad agreement with the Deputy, but I am a big supporter of data centres. They are like the advanced factories that were there in the seventies.
Not with nuclear power plants.
In fact, I read a report recently which suggested that the use of data centres will reduce the use of electricity-----
Not if you put a nuclear power plant beside one.
Deputy O'Rourke, allow the Minister of State to answer.
-----rather than having racks in isolated locations all over the place. You commingle and co-share a resource and, ultimately, you reduce the amount of electricity used. We have to be in control of our own data because there are other energy-rich countries that would be delighted to have the opportunity to store European data. If we do not get our act together, somebody will steal our clothes and that will be a loss. There are a lot of tech companies that want to be close to where the data centres are in the context of the resilience of the communications systems, etc. We have a job to do and, of course, we have to build houses, etc. I am all for advancing what we have to do in regard to offshore and wind. We must of course recognise that gas will be an important transition fuel as we move towards renewables, but we have got to do it at a pace and maintain the economic growth and control of our data at the same time.
Legislative Process
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:92. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the way in which he will ensure that the integrity and intention of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 is preserved in light of planned legislation such as the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026, which seeks to undermine it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27440/26]
Can the Minister outline how he is going to ensure that the integrity of and the intention behind the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 are preserved in light of planned legislation such as the Critical Infrastructure Bill, which seeks to undermine it, and will he make a statement on the matter?
The Critical Infrastructure Bill is a central pillar of the Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan and represents a significant step forward in strengthening delivery across all key sectors, including energy, which I will turn to in a moment. Accelerated delivery of infrastructure does not disapply our climate commitments or our targets at national level, but recognises an urgent need for the completion of major infrastructure projects in the State. Many new infrastructure projects, including critical electricity infrastructure and public transport projects, are themselves absolutely essential to supporting climate, environment and other social and economic objectives.
The Bill provides for the disapplication of section 15 of the amended Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, which the Deputy referred to, in very limited circumstances for designated critical infrastructure. Climate impact will still be one of the influencing factors when decisions are made and will continue to be accounted for through decision-making processes, particularly through the planning system where climate impact is already woven into the policy hierarchy, as confirmed recently by the Supreme Court in the Coolglass case.
I assure the Deputy that climate impact and considerations will remain absolutely central to the ambition of this Government, though they must be balanced against other critical factors like housing shortages and energy security particularly, and when it comes to these projects of national importance. I assure the Deputy that I will continue to work across government to ensure climate impacts of projects are well-evidenced and incorporated into proposals at the appropriate time.
No one can argue that we do not need to speed up infrastructure in this country. We have had a huge infrastructure deficit for decades and there are major infrastructure projects that we need to move on very quickly. Many of them will have a climate-positive outcome. However, it is incredible that while the Government is saying that climate obligations will remain central to those projects and the assessment of them, the Minister and the Government are bringing in a Bill that will disapply the climate Act. It essentially sets it aside and says that it will not be part of the process in the designation and the assessment of it. What the Government is doing by doing this is completely eroding the strength of the climate Act and the need for it. The Minister knows how difficult it was to get that climate Act through in the last Dáil and how important it is. All the climate Act says in section 15 is that a relevant body "shall have regard to". It is not a large or high bar for this Government to meet when it comes to building infrastructure. Why is the Government trying to undermine it?
If the Deputy takes our offshore wind projects that are in planning right now as an example, she will see that many of them are the subject of requests for further information. We have already had groups say to us that if and when they are granted, these projects will be subject to a judicial review, JR, and will be brought to the High Court or the Supreme Court. That is not acceptable either. We are talking here today, and rightly so, around energy security and the acceleration of renewables, which, thankfully, we are doing really well. If you even look at solar, just over ten years ago, we had 2 MW of solar in our grid; we have 2,400 MW now.
It shows what can be done. That does not even include over 1,000 MW of rooftop solar. The Deputy and I know that there are critical projects that need to be delivered, particularly on the energy side. Energy is really where a lot of this is going. If we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuel, it is good for the climate, for the economy and for people. In some instances, we have very small groups or individuals who have been holding up these projects and have been weaponising a good climate Act and its purpose to slow and stall development. We cannot have that any more.
Being able to object to developments is a core part of our democracy, it absolutely is. The projects need to be able to withstand those objections. The projects need to get those balances right. Oftentimes, the objectors are highlighting key flaws in the plans. It cannot be that we just throw them away because otherwise what is the point of the climate Act? Why bother bringing it in and why have it in legislation if the Government is just going to decide to set it aside whenever there is a project it wants to get through? Look at liquefied natural gas, LNG. This is exactly what the Government tried to do in relation to the strategic LNG legislation. It tried to disapply the climate Act there and essentially said that legislation would meet the obligations of the climate Act.
This is completely eroding the strength and the purpose of the climate Act at a time when we need to double down on climate action. It just beggars belief that the Minister is actually going to do this.
I do not think it does. I respect what the Deputy says but I disagree with it. Take the example of the floating gas reserve - the floating storage and regasification unit, FRSU - which we absolutely need. That is consistent with the climate Act in relation to the energy security of this country. That needs to happen. It will be debated in the Dáil and we will see whether it receives the support of the Dáil. It needs to happen. We are in no way setting aside the climate Act. What we are saying is, for critical infrastructure projects, what an acceptable length of time for objections to go on for is. I was the Minister responsible for planning in the last Government. I got rid of things like the fast-track planning system that went straight to what was An Bord Pleanála and brought it back to a two-stage planning process through the local authorities and the board. Decisions should be made by planning authorities, not by courts. That is my view and I have always said that very clearly. I fully respect and will defend the right of people to make observations, be they objections or observations in support of a project. What we cannot allow as a country is the continued use of methods by a very small number of people to delay critical infrastructure projects and the weaponisation of very good legislation, which is the climate Act.
Energy Policy
Pa Daly
Question:93. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the significant barriers being faced by small-scale renewable energy generation groups and communities; when the review of tariffs will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26175/26]
All across Europe, community energy is thriving, in places like Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Scotland in particular. Communities are building wind and solar farms, district heating systems and energy co-operatives. They are lowering bills, keeping profits local and accelerating the transition, doing exactly what Irish communities want to do. Here, in respect of the small-scale renewable electricity support scheme, SRESS, we are told it is up and running but there are difficulties. I want the Minister of State to outline the problems it is having because only eight projects have qualified and not a single one has actually been built.
The programme for Government commits to promoting the SRESS to simplify market access for communities, SMEs and farmer-owned solar and wind projects. The SRESS export tariff is designed for community, SME and farmer export-only projects above 50 kW to 6 MW. SRESS offers a simpler route to market for those groups, with fixed tariffs for solar and wind. All export projects up to 1 MW can also apply to SRESS, and need not be community, SME or farmer-owned projects.
To further support communities, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, provides a range of supports to develop renewable energy projects, including free access to specialist technical advisers and free comprehensive guides, available on the SEAI website. These guides cover various issues such as community groups and governance, stakeholder engagement, business planning and grid connection. The SEAI has also undertaken 13 county-level grid studies to help communities identify economically viable connection areas.
In 2025, my Department published an assessment of barriers and potential of development of renewable energy communities, as required by the renewable energy directive. My Department has also secured funding under the European Commission's technical support instrument to further assess barriers and propose recommendations to further support community energy development. This assessment is being carried out by the OECD, with initial policy recommendations due this year, which will help inform future policy approaches.
In February 2026, my Department commenced a review of the tariffs available under SRESS. This review is being undertaken to ensure the scheme continues to provide appropriate support. It is expected that the review will be completed later this year. In the meantime, the existing SRESS rates continue to be available and apply until the review process is complete.
I know the review is taking place, but will the Minister of State tell me exactly when it is expected to give its findings? As I said earlier, and as the Minister of State acknowledged, there are barriers. Only eight projects have qualified and not one has been built. While it looks okay on paper, there are serious problems with the scheme in practice. There are massive delays in the enabling grant. There are huge ESB network connection costs. These projects are made almost impossible financially. Having access to the SRESS tariff is another difficulty. It only matters when you are exporting electricity to the grid. It seems to be mired in bureaucratic difficulties and delays. What exactly has the Minister of State mandated the Department review to come up with? Is he trying to remove the barriers or what exactly is he trying to do to make sure that the progressive advances we have seen across Europe can be brought into play here?
I fully accept that the uptake must increase. I know there is one project in Kerry and there is also a project in my own constituency of Mayo. That is exactly what we are working to do, to unlock the barriers.
In terms of our commitment, we are reviewing whether 100% community ownership remains the right model. We are also examining options of partnership between communities and developers, and also aligning the tariffs and supports for projects, that they are deliverable, bankable and compliant. We have to do this within the parameters of getting state aid rules right, to ensure we are not putting communities at any financial risk. The Government is very much working to ensure that we can have more viable projects in the pipeline and that they can be delivered faster and with certainty, protect communities and are designed to be simple in nature while having maximum impact.
The Minister of State has not really answered the question, though, as to when exactly the review will take place. Is there a deadline on it? Let us be honest, the problem is that in Ireland there is only one community-owned renewable energy project above the 50 kW level, that is, in Templederry, and that was built more than a decade ago. Since then, there has been a huge demand out there and a huge hunger for sharing the benefits of renewable energy properly within communities. I see it is in the programme for Government, but 18 months later, there seems to be serious stagnation about it. Maybe with a new leader there might be more impetus in getting these kinds of project over the line.
Is the Deputy trying to get rid of me?
When will the review be completed so that things can be pushed forward and the bureaucracy and problems can be ended?
To answer the question, we met as recently as yesterday in regard to it. We hope to have the review published before the end of the year. I understand the urgency around it. We listen to the frustration from communities that are giving their time and energy in trying to get these projects off the ground. We are very much committed to the community-enabling grants.
That has not changed and we want to ensure that anything we implement is legally sound and can be delivered safely. That is why we have an independent technical review - the tariff review - under way. Once that is complete, processing enabling grants will be a priority. We will have clarity and certainty for the communities that want to deliver these projects because we know how beneficial they are and we know what impact they will have locally.
Climate Action Plan
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:94. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the planned publication date for the 2026 climate action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27598/26]
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:151. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason for the delay in the publication of the 2026 climate action plan, which was initially due to be published in December 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27599/26]
Today is 16 April and we are almost a third of the way through the year. When will the Department publish the climate action plan for 2026?
I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 151 together.
We are committed to delivering on Ireland’s responsibility to address the climate crisis and work remains ongoing across Departments to carry out climate-mitigation efforts every day, as evidenced by the roll-out of retrofitting, renewable energy development and deployment, and more affordable electric vehicles. All that continues at pace and is progressing well. These ongoing efforts are supported by the Climate Action Plan 2025, in tandem with its predecessor, the 2024 plan, both of which remain in place and provide a strong framework for continued delivery of climate action across all sectors, given that many of the measures and actions in these plans are multi-annual in nature and effect. Work remains ongoing across Departments to deliver on these commitments and carry out climate-mitigation efforts every day, supported by recently enhanced governance and delivery arrangements.
Progress is being made. Ireland now has the lowest level of greenhouse gas emissions in 35 years, which is notable given concurrent demographic and economic growth, including a population increase of approximately 1.5 million people, more than 1 million new homes and over 1 million extra vehicles on our roads. Those are extraordinary growth figures, which we have been able to underpin by reducing emissions.
We are making very significant strides towards our target of 80% renewable energy by 2030. Last month significantly, nearly 50% of our electricity was delivered by renewables. We have reached a milestone of 8 GW of onshore renewable electricity generation. We have more than doubled our wind energy capacity in just ten years. I mentioned last month's record 50% of our renewable electricity generation. We are now also prioritising the development of our offshore wind capacity. We had another successful auction with Tonn Nua. Underpinning this is the investment of €18.9 billion in our electricity grid for the period from now to 2030, which is critical to the electrification of homes, businesses, transport and our society.
On the Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, ZEVI, front, we reached our target for electrical vehicle sales of 195,000 in October 2025, with sales now at 212,000. I have recently announced an unprecedented package of new and enhanced grants for homeowners, which I am glad to say have been really well received and we are seeing a significant uptake in grants by bringing forward the retrofitting passport committed to in the programme for Government.
Work on the next climate action plan, CAP, 26, is under way. Following the extensive recommendations delivered by the Oireachtas joint committee on climate late last year, the Government is taking the necessary time to carefully finalise the carbon budget process. We will be doing that. I am of the view that the next climate action plan should reflect the outcome of that process. In that regard, my Department is working towards bringing a draft of the new climate action plan to the Government later this year. I also want to look at how we report on it.
The ongoing transition to a climate-neutral economy has profound implications for our economy and society. In formulating the next plan, the Government must carefully consider a wide range of factors to ensure the approach is ambitious, feasible and sustainable. It is vital that our climate policies and emissions-reduction pathways deliver the best possible value for money while maximising the net benefits to society. We must protect the long-term competitiveness of the economy, maintain the State’s attractiveness for investment and maximise employment opportunities while ensuring a just transition that supports communities right across the country. That is central to it.
I specified the date today because last year the climate action plan for 2025 was published on 15 April. At least last year there was there was some excuse for delay - there was a general election followed by the formation of a new Government, and the Minister needed to get a sense of his new Department. This year, those excuses do not exist and it starts to look like a lack of interest, a lack of urgency. With the Minister saying, as he has just done, that the plan will be published later this year, that sense of urgency is not coming across to me. By his own admission, Ireland will not meet its 2030 targets. I know he has been trying to reverse what he said over Christmas since then.
The climate action plan for 2026 is vital not just for this year but also for the next five years. Beyond trying to convince me about the importance of these steps for the Government, how can the Minister convince the Irish people if the central policy document for what happens next is delayed? He has given me a list of what brought us to here. Where we are is that we are behind our targets. The next big steps we need to see have to be set out in the climate action plan. The 2026 one is particularly important because it is the start of the next carbon budget cycle. We know we are a long way off and it needs to see some really big ideas, really big policies and how they will be funded within it. We are a third of the way through the year. We are losing time and we are losing the opportunity to implement these policies. Can the Minister give me any better sense of when it will come in?
I fully accept the need to provide clarity on timeframes. I just want to explain what is happening on this. The last two climate action plans for 2024 and 2025 are still in place and the actions within them are still being worked through. I want to enable us to set climate priorities. The Deputy has previously asked me in the House about our climate targets. I have just said very clearly that while our projections and carbon emissions are going in the right direction, it does not look like we will hit our 2030 target. Having said that, we need to see how we can bridge that gap between the projected reduction and the target itself. That is why CAP 26 is so critical.
I want us to look at the most impactful measures that we can make and to get off an administrative hamster wheel on this whereby one plan is being produced while the actions of the previous year's plan are still being worked through. I have had this discussion with the Climate Change Advisory Council, CCAC. I have met it in plenary. A new chair, Alex White, has been appointed to the CCAC. I meet the environmental pillar regularly, including just couple of weeks ago, and they understand that too. What are the most important measures we can take in CAP 26 to help us bridge the gap and continue the progress that has been made in many areas, no less so than on the energy generation piece? That is a genuine thing and I want people to understand what CAP 26 is and for it to be a readable document. Notwithstanding all the really good work across government on the publication of the plan, it is fair to say, as is acknowledged by the environment pillar as well, that what is really important is how many people actually know what is in the plan itself. I want to bring that down to a grassroots level. That is the level of work that we are doing.
We are not looking to delay it at all. I intend to bring options on climate priorities to the Government in the coming weeks and that will flow into CAP 26. That is the timeframe. We are talking a matter of weeks for the climate priorities and following from that will be the climate action plan.
I will not get into a back-and-forth over what was said at Christmas because I do not think it is useful at this stage. However, given how far off track we are at this current time, the climate action plan for this year, which sets out the priorities for the next five years within the carbon budget, is absolutely crucial. The Minister spoke about priorities. He will need to take some really big extra steps. It is not just about ticking the box and puttering along from where we are now.
I see the focus that the Government is putting on the Critical Infrastructure Bill, as this is going to be some big part of it. Deputy Whitmore made some points about it earlier and I have made some points to the Minister, Deputy Chambers.
I think what the Government is proposing there is actually counterproductive, but we will have that debate another time. In terms of the big step that was taken last week with a huge package of additional funding to deal with the emergency crisis to end the protest and the blockades, does the Minister believe the Department will get the financial backing across the Government to take some of these really big steps, steps beyond what have been budgeted for previously and steps that might make eyes water in the Department of public expenditure and in the fiscal council, but steps that are now necessary when we see for the second time in four years the vulnerability of our economy to its addiction to fossil fuels and the consequent impact on our emissions? If this climate action plan does not contain some big, bold and new ideas to decarbonise and does not provide greater energy security or affordability for Irish people, and if it does not have a clear financial commitment behind it, it will not be worth anything.
I will take a couple of examples of where the commitments are. I agree with the Deputy. The next plan has to question how we can look to bridge the gap. We need to recognise the progress that has been made by our people and by successive Governments in this regard. That is why, looking at our retrofit programme, we have made some very significant changes to the grants to make them more accessible. People are responding to that already, just short of two months since we made those changes. We can do a lot of things to improve our resilience, reduce our energy use and make our homes more climate friendly and healthier. We can also do the same for business. We are looking at a suite of business grant measures to reduce energy use in business. Again, I agree with the Deputy on this. The reliance or over-reliance in certain areas on fossil fuels and our dependency on imported fossil fuels are a risk and a weakness, and we need to move away from that.
I will take two areas. I refer to grid investment and the €18.9 billion. PR6 is critical, and I know Deputy O'Gorman knows that. It is a matter of our taking more renewables into our grid. We are already the number one country in Europe in the integration of renewables into our grid, but it is a matter of our expanding that further and bringing more storage so that we can deploy and dispatch energy at the appropriate times. We have over a gigawatt in storage now. We can now trade in the electricity market, which is a good thing, too. We need to increase our storage and our renewable capacity. The projections in that regard to the end of the decade are good, while not hitting 80%. In the CAP 2026, for example, on energy, we will see how we can get to 80% without the offshore renewables because the offshore will not be electrified by 2030. The focus there is getting it into construction.
On transport, €2 billion of the climate and nature fund, as the Deputy knows, has already been deployed to MetroLink, which would be one of the biggest decarbonising projects from a transport perspective. That is backed with money. I want the CAP 2026 to be a real plan that people understand. It has to be ambitious and has to be backed financially, and I intend that it will be.
Electricity Transmission Network
Catherine Ardagh
Question:95. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on current interconnection projects. [27252/26]
I know Deputy Byrne is taking this for Deputy Ardagh. As he may be aware, the Department and the Minister do not have a role in respect of the delivery of the offshore electricity grid. That is handled by EirGrid as the transmission system operator. I will endeavour, on Deputies Byrne and Ardagh's behalf, to ask EirGrid to communicate with both of them in relation to the projects and where they are at. I am very conscious that our interconnection projects and those that are envisaged will be an integral part of the stabilisation of our own electricity grid and will assist us in continuing our pathway towards removing the need for fossil fuels as part of our generation mix. We are very strongly in favour of that, as Deputy Byrne knows.
The Celtic interconnector with France is under way and significant works are already in place there. I think it was the Taoiseach, or perhaps it was the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, who recently signed a memorandum of understanding, MOU, with Spain. The Taoiseach certainly had been involved at a stage in the discussions on that. I think at one of the events last year, I had conversations with Spanish representatives. We really believe in the necessity to connect ourselves in an important way with the rest of the European Union. Of course, the North-South interconnector is such a fundamental part of that all-island electricity market so, of course, that is important. I will have EirGrid communicate with the Deputies on that, on those projects.
I am rather concerned. This has been described by EirGrid and others as the biggest infrastructure project this decade, which it is. The timeframe has already slipped, with commissioning meant to happen in 2026 but now happening in 2028. I am kind of concerned that the Minister of State says that he does not know on the floor of the Dáil and that he will have to get EirGrid to let us know. This is a critical piece of infrastructure for the State, as he says. It is important that we know the timeframe as to when it will come on because one of our concerns in terms of energy demand for the State is about having the infrastructure in place. I am concerned, as the Minister knows, that we have been pushing out some of the deadlines with regard to some of our targets on offshore renewables to 2031 or 2032. It is critical that the commitment that was made that it would be in 2028 will actually be delivered, and the House is entitled to hear that.
In reality, none of us is happy that there are potential delays. From a departmental perspective and from the Minister's perspective, we are very clear on the importance of getting it done. What I am saying to the Deputy is that EirGrid is independent of the Government. It is established in that way as a TSO and it is responsible through the CRU, which has the potential to be brought before the committee. We are very anxious to do that.
Just a slight correction: the Minister reminds me that, in fact, the MOU with Spain has yet to be signed and will be done next week.
I will ensure that EirGrid communicate with the Deputies. I will ask that it update me as well in that regard.
I am sorry but I have a problem with that. Yes, there is a reason EirGrid, in terms of operational activity, is independent, but EirGrid is responsible to the State. Deputy Dooley is a Minister of State responsible for energy with regard to a critical piece of infrastructure. We should know in this House about progress on this critical piece of infrastructure. I say respectfully that it is not good enough to say that EirGrid will tell us when it will have this critical piece of infrastructure finished. It is not for the benefit of EirGrid; it is for the benefit of every citizen, every business, every home in this State in order that we can have reliability of energy into the future. We should know and we are entitled to know in this House about progress on major infrastructural projects such as this. EirGrid is doing it on behalf of the State. I appreciate that the Minister of State will send me on the answer, but people are entitled to know if it will be finished in 2028, at the postponed date, as was originally committed.
I hope the Deputy does not think I am being evasive but I am just providing him with the information I have. I am aware that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, meets with EirGrid monthly. He seeks to get an update on projects and he is very anxious that in all those instances he communicates to EirGrid the Government's priorities in this regard, and the Government's priorities have not changed. We are accelerating the development of infrastructure. There are State agencies that are established with their own independence, their own governance and their own boards of directors, so there is a limit in those circumstances as to what the Government can do other than to set out what policy is. We must be mindful, too, that we must follow the democratic principles that are established. EirGrid is answerable to its board, to the CRU and, ultimately, to the Oireachtas through the committee.
We represent the citizens of the State. We recognise the importance of this and we will continue to pursue that. In fact, I am meeting with Errol Close and a number of other people from EirGrid today, albeit in relation to separate projects, but I will communicate again the discussion here, and rest assured, I will continue to drive that. It is a recognition, too, that the Taoiseach has even established a clearing house in relation to offshore wind, of which the grid becomes part as well as an action-oriented plan to get delivery on these projects.
Energy Policy
Barry Heneghan
Question:96. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position communicated by Ireland at EU level regarding reducing dependency on imported fossil fuels from geopolitically unstable regions; the role of his Department in EU level discussions on responding to recent disruptions in global energy markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22801/26]
Go háirithe sna laethanta atá inniu ann, tá na rudaí atá ag tarlú timpeall an domhain thar a bheith suimiúil agus tá sé soiléir gur gá dúinn athrú an-mhór a dhéanamh ar ár gcuid fuinnimh. With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the risk to global security, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, how are we positioning ourselves to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels? I have been pushing for, and I mentioned it yesterday, plug-in solar. Is there any update from the Department on allowing plug-in solar? I represent a large area of north Dublin with a lot of apartment dwellings and this will ease their energy costs.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as a smaointí ar an ábhar an-tábhachtach seo. Aontaím leis go bhfuil sé fíorthábhachtach agus go gcaithfimid athruithe breise a dhéanamh ar son fuinnimh in Éirinn agus fud fad na hEorpa go háirithe. I agree with the Deputy. We need to accelerate the changes we are bringing in given the existing crisis. Ireland has been to the forefront of many of the renewable energy generation initiatives. The past ten years have been good. Last year was particularly good but we need to accelerate this further. If ever there was a reason we need to continue to reduce our dependence on the importation of fossil fuels from other states, it is now. With the Middle East crisis, we do not want to lose sight of the fact - and it know it is not lost on the Deputy, in particular - that, while we are feeling it as an economic crisis and are feeling price shocks, we also have to be very mindful that it is a humanitarian crisis. Thousands of people have been killed in this war, following on from the brutality we saw with Israel's actions, its attack on Gaza and its continued attacks on the West Bank and the whole Middle East. It is a very uncertain situation right now.
I attended a virtual meeting of EU energy Ministers on 31 March to discuss an EU-wide response to rising costs caused by the conflict in the Middle East. The European Commission is due to provide additional details on specific proposals. I do not mind saying that we expected to get them last week, so the EU needs to act as a bloc. We are bringing forward changes in Ireland. We have deployed resources of about €750 million. It is still really difficult for our people but the EU response needs to be immediate in terms of what can be done at an EU-wide level. I have fed into that and I will come back to it.
Aontaím go hiomlán leis an Aire. It is definitely unprecedented but the price shock is not limited to the oil markets. It is also spreading rapidly through global gas markets in Europe and Asia. That just proves the importance. Roughly one fifth of the global LNG trade normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar remains one of the cornerstone suppliers to the world's markets, which means any disruption tightens gas balances. Energy shocks also ripple into agriculture, as we have seen, beyond higher diesel prices, because natural gas and hydrocarbon liquids are key inputs in the production of fertilisers. We obviously note that this is all coming from the Strait of Hormuz but it feeds into the price of fertilisers. Can that also be looked into at EU level?
Has there been any reply in relation to the plug-in solar development? I have a lot of apartment dwellers in my constituency. To install a small-scale system on balconies to reduce bills would be very welcome to the Irish people, go háirithe na laethanta seo.
Aontaím leis an Teachta arís. Next week the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and I are meeting the EU transport Ministers. We have already taken measures in respect of our supply chains. There has been no direction or unified approach by the European Union, which is regrettable. It is also regrettable that we are still waiting for the details of the toolbox - as it is now referred to - of what the European Union can do on behalf of its citizens. That needs to be done now and I will be reflecting that.
On plug-in solar, I know the Deputy has another question. Solar has expanded greatly in Ireland. Already we have 2.4 GW of solar in our system, with over 1 GW of rooftop solar as well that is not grid connected. I am very open to plug-in solar. Some safety concerns were flagged at official level but Germany and other countries deploy it well. On foot of the question that was tabled in this regard, the team in the Department is looking at this. If we can deploy more solar, then we should.
Tá sé an-mhaith go bhfuil an tAire ag rá sin, go háirithe inniu. It is a very interesting concept. If something is not safe, the Germans would not be doing it. The government there has been definitely allowing it and there has been a huge uptake of it. North Dublin, which I represent, has apartments. These apartment dwellers cannot use their rooftop. The plug-in solar systems which can be bought and installed within 15 minutes are a simple fix that would reduce their energy costs. Right now we need faster delivery of grid infrastructure and a welcome the Minister's engagement regarding private wires but, ultimately, it is about national security and affordability. One of the solutions that I am continuously shouting for, and I will continue to do so until it is done, is plug-in solar. Obviously, we can go with the private wires, long-duration energy storage, gravity storage and green hydrogen. We have so much potential and I do welcome the fact the Department is moving as fast as it is on it. I look forward to working constructively with the Minister on this matter.
I will keep the Deputy informed of the progress. We are trying to make it easier to deploy renewables. That is why the critical infrastructure legislation on bigger projects will be really important. There are things that households and communities can do. We have seen the growth, with 33,000 solar grant applications granted last year. We will accelerate that further this year, with about 73,000 retrofits. Plug-in solar is not an extremely new technology but there might have been some concerns with it. However, it is not being dismissed. I can assure the Deputy of that. We have a more detailed response on it in the written parliamentary question the Deputy has submitted. I will keep him directly informed on it. I made changes to the SEAI grants at the start of March in terms of making things more accessible for people to support. We have seen a really significant increase in applications for things like heat pumps, solar, wall cavity insulation and attic insulation as we have made it easier for people to do so. We also have to look at solar storage and battery storage in homes and at utilising our car batteries through EV and solar. I will come back to the Deputy.
Question No. 97 taken with Written Answers.
Energy Policy
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:98. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if consideration is being given by his Department to permitting the use of plug-in solar panels for residential properties in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27602/26]
Over the last number of months, I have been asking the Minister about the issue of plug-in solar to ensure that more households in Ireland can benefit from cheap solar power. Will the Minister give me a timeline on when we will have a clear decision from him and the Department as to whether plug-in solar can be used in this country?
Plug-in solar systems are very small PV energy systems, usually two or three modules, and less than 1 kW in total per installation. They are connected to a micro-inverter and plugged directly into the normal household socket. This then feeds the house's internal electricity system. These low-cost panels can be put on balconies and outdoor spaces. The use of plug-in mini-solar technology has grown in some EU countries in recent years as consumers search for ways to save on high energy bills. It has seen particular growth in Germany. Officials from our Department have engaged with stakeholders on the optional provisions in the 2024 electricity market design directive, including the provision relating to plug-in mini solar systems and through a consultation that ran from September to October in 2024. Respondents to that consultation raised potential safety issues, so it is important that the introduction of the technology is given appropriate consideration. Some form of regulation may be needed before plug-in mini solar is promoted. Officials are currently engaged with the relevant agencies and regulators, including ESB Networks in its role as the system operator. Our officials are also in contact with officials from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero in the UK relating to the recently announced intention for the UK Government to regulate for the sale and use of plug-in mini solar systems. EU guidance on the matter is also being considered.
The issue here is a question of speed. One million households in Germany use plug-in solar right now. There has been an 18-month consultation on this issue here. I agree that safety issues have to be addressed but the Minister has suggested that there may be a need for some form of regulation. We need some speed on this. Look at what the UK Secretary of State, Ed Miliband, did. He brought in the manufacturers, providers and installers to ask them about the specific issues and the regulatory challenges that needed to be addressed.
What are the regulatory challenges we need to address? As I have said, this matter has been going on for 18 months. Irish people, particularly those living in apartments, are being denied the opportunity to benefit from free energy in the midst of the worst energy crisis we have seen in this country. An assurance was given to Deputy Heneghan. I ask that I also be kept informed about the timeline for the delivery of this measure. Action needs to be taken now.
I thank the Deputy very much. He is right. Both he and Deputy Heneghan have continued to raise this matter. The Department is actively engaged on it. It is not good enough to just continue to say there are potential safety issues. We have got to address them, recognising that others have found methods to address those safety concerns. As I have said, we are engaged with our UK counterparts and we are also discussing the regulatory issues in relation to safety with our German counterparts, recognising that they have had a very successful roll-out. There are some grid issues. I do not offer that by way of excuse but, with regard to distribution, our grid is managed and constructed somewhat differently. Notwithstanding that, it should not be beyond our capabilities to find a pathway forward that is safe and that gives capacity to those who have the opportunity or potential to use these small-scale pieces of equipment.
Is féidir teacht ar Cheisteanna Scríofa ar www.oireachtas.ie.
Written Answers are published on the Oireachtas website.