Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 November 2025
343. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the progress in emission reduction targets in areas that are the responsibility of his Department; which measures are particularly successful and which measures are underperforming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67044/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 provides for Emissions Ceilings for seven economic sectors. There are no Sectoral Emissions Ceilings associated with the areas under the responsibility of my department (Culture, Communications and Sport).
My Department, however, embraces opportunities to reduce emissions across its sectors. Moreover, my Department, through engagement with communities across Ireland, has a great opportunity to promote climate action across society. Recently, I spoke at the Creative Ireland Shared Island Conference, which showed how engaging and supporting communities in their creativity can also benefit their environment. Last week, I opened a conference on Sustainable Sport, which highlighted solutions to reduce emissions associated with the sport sector. Media and broadcasting also play a role in informing society about climate change and action. I look forward to further collaboration with my colleagues across Government in addressing this important issue, particularly with the Taoiseach and Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment and Transport.
My Department plays its part in helping the Public Sector to meet its targets to reduce energy-related emissions and fossil-fuel related energy emissions by 51% by 2030. Total greenhouse gas emissions for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in 2024 were 78% below the baseline emissions in the years 2016 to 2018. I am grateful to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for continued support in helping us to optimise our energy efficiency and reduce energy use.
In relation to bodies under the aegis of my department, emissions reductions are a matter for those bodies themselves, who report to the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland on their emissions in the same way as my Department, and figures are published in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s Public Sector Energy Reports.
