Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
176. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he remains committed to the provisions of the Climate Acts given recent attempts by the Government to have the Acts disapplied across numerous Government Bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27881/26]
View answerThe Government remains fully committed to the provisions of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 (as amended) and to achieving our national climate targets.
It is acknowledged that the Critical Infrastructure Bill provides for the disapplication of Section 15 of the Act in very limited circumstances for programmes and projects designated as critical infrastructure. The 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 key sectors. Accelerated delivery of infrastructure does not disapply our climate commitments or our national level targets, but recognises an urgent need for the completion of major infrastructure projects in the State. The type of projects, including critical electricity infrastructure and public transport projects, are themselves critically required to support climate, environment and other social and economic objectives. Many of the projects supported under these provisions are central to delivering on our climate ambitions, including key electricity infrastructure and public transport projects.
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. The disapplication of Section 15 does not remove the requirement on planning bodies to take account of relevant climate policies and objectives.
Climate impact and considerations remain central to the ambition of this Government, although they must be balanced against other critical factors like housing and energy security when it comes to these projects of national importance. I will continue to work across Government to ensure climate impacts of projects are well-evidenced and incorporated into proposals at the appropriate time.
