Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
275. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the process for the carbon budget proposal for 2031-2035, and the fourth carbon budget provisional proposal for 2036-2040; to clarify timelines for the next steps of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73355/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra276. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if the unanimous recommendations made by the Joint Oireachtas Committee in its report on the proposed carbon budgets, with specific reference to the recommendation to conduct a transparent peer review on the proposals, will be adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73356/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 276 together.
Following the Climate Change Advisory Council’s publication of its proposal for the second Carbon Budget Programme last December, significant consideration has been given to the best approach to take in this regard. That consideration was unavoidably delayed due to the general election, Government and Oireachtas committee formation.
Therefore the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Energy and the Environment concluded its in-depth review of the proposal, and the Report was published by the Committee in October. The Report is extensive, presenting thirty-eight comprehensive recommendations spanning multiple sectors including electricity, transport, just transition, buildings, and agriculture, and together with recommendations around the budget proposal also extends to many other policy areas.
The Committee’s engagement, and the contributions of the many experts who appeared before it, has been an important part of the technical and democratic oversight envisaged under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act. The Committee's Report, together with the submissions received from the public consultation which was conducted on the proposal, require careful consideration in determining the next steps.
Further work is now being undertaken to ensure that the next carbon budget programme is ambitious, feasible, and aligns with our international commitments to continue Ireland’s transition to a climate neutral economy. I am liaising with the relevant stakeholders and intend to make an announcement in shortly in respect of the Carbon Budget Programme timeline and next steps.
