Tuesday, 21 May 2024

Cabinet Committees

Questions (25)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

25. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will meet next. [20238/24]

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Written answers

The Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services which oversees implementation of Programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy and public services was re-established when new Cabinet Committees were put in place following the appointment of the new Government in April.

The Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services last met on 20 November and will next meet on 4 July.

Questions Nos. 26 to 33, inclusive, resubmitted.

Climate Action Plan

Questions (34)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

34. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the Final Climate Action Plan 2023 Progress Report, published by his Department in March 2024. [20307/24]

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Written answers

Taoiseach

The Department of the Taoiseach prepares progress reports on the delivery of measures committed to under the Climate Action Plan. These progress reports provide a detailed breakdown of completed and delayed actions and are published online, once considered by Government.

The final progress report for the 2023 Climate Action Plan (CAP23) was published on the 5th of March this year. It provides information on actions that were due to be completed in Quarter 4 of 2023.

The report is framed around the six high impact sectors for climate action: Agriculture, Transport, Electricity, Buildings, Land Use, and Industry. The Report also provides updates on established performance indicators, sectoral emissions trends and high impact actions.

In total, 161 new actions were scheduled to be completed in Quarter 4 2023. Ninety-six (96) of these, or 60%, were delivered during the three months in question.

For 2023 as a whole, 188 of 290 actions were delivered, giving an overall implementation rate of 65% for CAP23.

High-impact actions completed in Q4 2023 include:

· 65 new and enhanced services in 2023 under the Connecting Ireland public transport programme, linking 194 towns nationwide;

· a record budget allocation for SEAI retrofit schemes, which supported over 47,800 property upgrades in 2023; a 76% increase on 2022 delivery;

· releasing a new National Adaptation Framework for public consultation;

· delivery of green skills apprenticeships, including new modules and courses in Nearly Zero Energy Buildings and Modern Methods of Construction; and

· commencing the ‘Solar for Schools’ Programme, which will roll out on a phased basis to include 4,000 schools nationwide.

The 2024 update of the climate action plan continues this focus on delivery of high impact actions, including those from CAP23 that were not completed by year-end as well as new actions included for 2024.

The most recent EPA inventory figures show that Ireland’s emissions fell by nearly 2% between 2021 and 2022. While the EPA has not yet released its figures for 2023, published figures from the SEAI suggest that energy emissions fell by 7% overall with emissions from electricity falling by 21%.

Continued, and indeed faster, delivery of actions under the Climate Action Plan is essential in the face of our commitment to extremely challenging and legally-binding EU and national emissions reduction targets.

Questions Nos. 35 to 39, inclusive, resubmitted.

Middle East

Questions (40)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

40. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach to report on any recent discussions he has had with other world leaders in connection with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [20564/24]

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Written answers

Taoiseach

As the House will be aware, the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the situation in the Middle East is of great international concern. Since my election as Taoiseach, I have had many discussions on the situation with my international counterparts.

The issue was discussed at the special meeting of the European Council in April, when Leaders committed to working with partners to end the conflict in Gaza without delay, and called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and full, rapid and unhindered access to humanitarian aid at scale.

We also discussed the need to avoid escalation of tensions in the region, notably in Lebanon. We confirmed our determination to support the most vulnerable people in Lebanon, including refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities in need.

While at the European Council, I took the opportunity to engage a number of my counterparts in the margins of the meeting, including on the question of recognition of Palestine.

I have also engaged extensively on the subject in my bilateral engagements, including my meetings with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Brussels on 11 April.

In my meeting with President von der Leyen, in addition to discussing the very concerning current situation, I raised the letter that the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, and former Taoiseach Varadkar wrote to her, asking for a review of Israel’s obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. It remains my expectation that the Commission should carry forward a review as soon as possible.

The situation in the Middle East was the main topic of discussion in my meeting with Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, during his visit to Dublin on 12 April.

We have remained in close contact in the last number of weeks, including on the question of recognition of Palestine.

Last week I spoke specifically about the Middle East in calls with the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Robert Golob; King Abdullah of Jordan; the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Ghar Store; and the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog. The issue also came up in a call with the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese.

In all my conversations I have made clear the Government’s wish to see an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and urgent and unhindered access for humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The King of Jordan briefed me on regional efforts to create a context for peace, as well as the considerable and commendable role that Jordan is playing in providing humanitarian relief.

In my conversation with President Herzog, I set out clearly the Government’s position on Gaza, including our deep concern about the potential for catastrophe in Rafah.

I expressed our view that peace and security for Israel and Palestine can only be built on a two-state solution, and outlined Ireland’s intention to recognise the State of Palestine.

I also made clear Ireland’s abhorrence of Hamas and Ireland’s support for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages.

The situation in the Middle East has also come up in conversations with other Leaders including President Zelenskyy of Ukraine and the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.

I will continue to avail of every possible opportunity to call for an immediate ceasefire and to express our belief that long-term peace and security for the people of Israel and the people of Palestine can only be achieved through a two-state solution, with an Israeli and a Palestinian State living side-by-side together.

Questions Nos. 41 to 44, inclusive, resubmitted.

Departmental Priorities

Questions (45)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

45. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the degree to which he continues to explore opportunities under the shared island heading. [20565/24]

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Written answers

Taoiseach

Over the last three and a half years, the Government has significantly advanced our Shared Island initiative and continues to progress this important dimension of the Programme for Government, working with all communities and political traditions for a shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.

On 20 February, the Government announced over €800m in funding for Shared Island investment priorities. This included a commitment of €600 million to the A5 North-West transport corridor and progressing of linked road projects in Donegal and Monaghan. Allocations were also agreed from the Shared Island Fund to contribute: to the redevelopment of Casement Park in Belfast; to introduce an hourly-frequency rail service between Dublin and Belfast; to move ahead with construction of the landmark Narrow Water Bridge; to create a renewed visitor experience at the Battle of the Boyne site and; for new cross-border cooperation schemes on enterprise development and on tackling educational underachievement.

These projects, along with the Government’s other Shared Island investment commitments, are taken forward by Ministers, working with their Northern Ireland Executive and British Government counterparts, and with Local Authority, Education and Civil Society partners across the island.

The Government is working to develop more investment opportunities with the Executive, through the North South Ministerial Council, and with the British Government, to deepen North/South and East/West relationships, and to further develop connections between people right across this island. The Shared Island Unit in my Department is coordinating a wide-ranging published research programme and fostering inclusive civic dialogue on common concerns for the future.

The most recent ESRI Shared Island research report was published on 10 April on Gender and Labour Market Inclusion in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Further work by the ESRI has been commissioned - on income distribution levels and on tackling child poverty across the island - to be published later this year. The Shared Island Youth Forum, which I launched last September, brings together 80 young civic representatives aged 18-25. The Forum has met to consider themes of Sustainability, Opportunity, Wellbeing, Culture and Identity, and Equality, and is meeting this weekend in Dublin (24/25 May) to work on an overall statement of their vision and values for a shared future, to be published in the autumn. Through the Shared Island initiative, the Government is investing in quality of life and opportunity for people, North and South, and interacting with all communities on how we can better share this island underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.

Questions Nos. 46 to 60, inclusive, resubmitted.

Questions Nos. 61 to 71, inclusive, answered orally.