Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
128. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department was consulted on the impact on carbon emissions reductions targets of delaying public transport projects like Dart+ Southwest and Finglas Luas in order to prioritise road investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72883/25]
View answerAs Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, I am a "prescribed body" under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) to be notified of Strategic Infrastructure Developments and Rail Order developments by An Coimisiún Pleanála. As part of such notifications, I am requested to make a submission, where relevant, as a "prescribed body" on various development proposals such as those referred to by the Deputy. I have not been consulted specifically on the impact on carbon emissions reductions targets of delaying public transport projects.
The Environmental Protection Agency is mandated under Section 6D of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, 2015 (as amended) to carry out an inventory of greenhouse gases as soon as may be after the expiry of any carbon budget period. It is at this point that I will be informed of any exceedance or otherwise of the relevant sectors of the economy of their respective Sectoral Emissions Ceilings.
