Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
255. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for a detailed update on the work of the Just Transition Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5734/26]
View answerThe Just Transition Commission is an independent advisory body established on an administrative basis by Government Decision of 30 April 2024. The Commission supports the Government in its responsibility to provide that Ireland’s transition to the National Climate Objective has regard to the requirement for a just transition.
In line with their Terms of Reference, the Commission's 2024-2027 work programme includes but is not limited to the following items:
• an analysis of the potential impacts on Ireland’s workforce, and policy implications, of achieving the 2050 climate neutrality objective;
• an assessment of the integration of principles of Ireland’s Just Transition Framework in climate policies;
• advice on the strengthening of the local and community dimensions of just transition and strengthening engagement with vulnerable cohorts into Ireland’s climate engagement activities, in particular the National Dialogue on Climate Action, as well as sectoral dialogues; and
• recommendations on a set of just transition indicators.
The Commission is responsible for the management and direction of its own work programme. According to their Terms of Reference, the Commission are required to keep the Minister with responsibility for climate up to date on their activities, and an opportunity for such an update shall be afforded at least once a year.
In this context, I met Ms Ali Sheridan, Chair of the Commission in May 2025, and with the Chair and Members of the broader Commission in September 2025. I am scheduled to meet the Chair again in the coming weeks.
The Commission submitted their first report to me in June 2025. In their report, the Commission articulated recommendations on the mainstreaming of this horizontally applicable policy, such as the need to develop a strategic approach and stronger structures around the implementation of the just transition principles into climate policy. Developing and implementing a Just Transition Strategy is now a key deliverable in my Department’s 2025-2028 Statement of Strategy.
The Government remains committed to the principle of a just transition and I look forward to my engagements with Ms Sheridan and the Commission again in 2026 and to hearing about their upcoming projects and recommendations in this very important policy area to inform the Government's approach to ensuring a fair transition to climate neutrality.
