Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 March 2026
120. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment given the statutory requirement under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 to publish an annual update to the Climate Action Plan, can he clarify the precise legal and scientific basis for the delay in publishing the updated Plan for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19827/26]
View answer121. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment in light of correspondence from five senior climate and legal academics disputing his justification for the delay of the updated Climate Action Plan, the specific evidence or advice that underpins his position. [19828/26]
View answer122. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the revised timeline for publication of the updated Climate Action Plan; and the way in which he assesses the impact of this delay on Ireland’s ability to meet its legally binding 2030 emissions reduction targets. [19829/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 121 and 122 together.
This Government is committed to delivering on Ireland’s responsibility to address the climate crisis and work remains ongoing across Government Departments to carry out climate mitigation efforts every day. The rollout of retrofitting, renewable energy deployment, and more affordable electric vehicles continues at pace. Government focus is on implementation particularly of high impact actions.
Ireland now has the lowest level of GHG emissions in 35 years which is notable given concurrent demographic and economic growth including an increase of approximately 1.5 million people, more than one million new homes and over one million extra vehicles on our roads.
We are making significant strides toward our target of 80% renewable energy by 2030, having now reached the major milestone of 8GW onshore renewable electricity generation. We are now prioritising the development of our offshore wind capacity. We have doubled our wind energy capacity over the past 10 years, just last month wind energy provided a record 50% of our electricity.
This Government has also approved an unprecedented investment of €18.9 billion in Grid for the period 2026 – 2030 which is fundamental to the electrification of homes, businesses and transport. The 2025 ZEVI target for electrical vehicle sales of 195,000 was surpassed in October 2025, with sales now at 212,000. I have also recently announced an unprecedented package of new and enhanced grants for homeowners across the country who are looking to benefit from home energy upgrades under the National Residential Retrofit Plan.
These ongoing efforts are supported by Climate Action Plan 2025, in tandem with its predecessor, Climate Action Plan 2024, both of which remain in place and provide a strong framework for continued delivery of climate action across all sectors, as many of the measures and actions in these plans are multi-annual in nature and effect. Work remains ongoing across Government Departments to deliver on these commitments and carry out climate mitigation efforts supported by enhanced governance and delivery arrangements.
In line with our Programme for Government commitment, enhanced implementation governance structures to support accelerated climate action delivery have been put in place in 2025 to streamline structures and ensure that key strategic projects are supported.
Looking forward and in parallel with an implementation focus, work is currently underway on the next Climate Action Plan. Following the extensive recommendations delivered by the Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy late last year, the Government is taking the necessary time to carefully finalise the Carbon Budget process and the next Climate Action Plan should reflect the outcome of that process. In that regard, we are working toward bringing a draft of the new Climate Action Plan to Government later this year.
The ongoing transition to a climate-neutral economy has profound implications for our economy and society. In formulating the next phases of our plans, the Government must carefully consider a wide range of factors to ensure the approach is ambitious, feasible, fair 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.
