Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 April 2025
42. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Climate Action Plan 2026; when he expects the plan to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18069/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra44. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when exactly the 2025 Climate Action Plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17628/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra50. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update and expected date of publication of the 2025 Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17983/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra57. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide the proposed timeline of publication for the Government’s annual Climate Action Plans during the time of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17984/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 44, 50 and 57 together.
After significant work by my Department, working across Government, CAP25 was originally submitted for Government approval in December 2024. However, it's formal approval was delayed due to the election and subsequent Government formation process.
As CAP25 is an all-of Government plan, these exceptional circumstances required the official review and approval process to be restarted, due to new Ministers taking up their roles across Departments.
I have now reviewed the Plan, cognisant of the new Programme for Government, and initiated the Government approval process. I expect the Plan to be approved by Government and published in the coming weeks.
With respect to future Climate Action Plans, we will continue to aim to publish the finalised plan before the beginning of the year to which each one relates.
Through the significantly strengthened governance structure provided for by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, Climate Action Plans have been placed on a statutory footing, with required annual updates to focus on the near- and medium-term time horizon.
Climate Action Plan 2025 (CAP25) is the third statutory update to the plan since the 2021 Act was signed into law, and the first that will be approved and published under this new Government.
Delivery on the plan is a priority for Government, with strengthened governance arrangements being put in place in line with Programme for Government commitments.
This will not only deliver benefits for our climate but also deliver cost savings for consumers while enhancing our energy security and supporting a resilient, competitive and sustainable future for the Irish economy.
