Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2026
21. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he has engaged with a company (details supplied) in relation to its energy recovery targets for the period 2022 – 2025; if so, the nature and frequency of such engagement; whether those targets have been met to date [4637/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra22. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the role of a company (details supplied) in supporting the decarbonations of Ireland’s climate action targets and circular economy strategy; the contribution made to date by waste-to-energy facilities in reducing fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4638/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 4637/26 and 4638/26 together.
Waste to Energy technologies will continue to have an important role in treating non-recyclable or ‘problematic’ waste streams as the EU and Ireland move towards a more circular economy, where waste minimisation is prioritised and policies are implemented to promote durability and recyclability in products, in addition to incentivising reuse and repair.
My Department will soon be publishing the second Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy, which will enable our economy to retain the value of products, materials, and resources for as long as possible and ensure that the environmental, social, and economic benefits of circularity are fully realised.
Ireland’s municipal solid waste incineration (MSW) incinerators that are categorised under public electricity and heat production are currently included in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for Monitoring and Reporting purposes only. The first year of reporting was 2025. The European Commission proposes to carry out a review of the ETS in the second half of 2026, which may extend the scope of the ETS to fully include such plants.
With regard to the referenced company, Ireland’s Climate Action targets are reviewed at national level and sectoral level, and information is not provided on individual companies.
I did not engage directly with the company outlined by the Deputy in relation to its energy recovery targets for the period 2022 – 2025. I am informed however that my colleague Minister of State Alan Dillon visited their facility on 15 May 2025 in relation to his remit of waste processing.
