Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
259. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the communications he has had with other Departments about the possibility of missing EU climate and energy targets that would result in large fines, and the additional measures he is considering to achieve those targets and avoid future fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14975/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has committed to meeting climate and energy targets under EU legislation including but not limited to: Effort Sharing Regulation; Land Use Land Use Change and Forestry Regulation; Renewable Energy Directive; and the Energy Efficiency Directive. Our objective is to comply by taking the necessary domestic actions, but there are a variety of compliance options available to Member States across the respective instruments.
My officials regularly communicate with other Government Departments on compliance costs bilaterally and through the Senior Officials Group on Climate Action, Environment and Energy. A sub-group focusing on cost of compliance has met, and the membership includes: Department of the Taoiseach; Department of Finance; Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and my Department.
Our focus remains on achieving the necessary emissions reductions in Ireland by continuing to invest in transformational measures that will decarbonise our economy. Work remains ongoing across Government Departments to carry out climate mitigation efforts every day, and the rollout of retrofitting, renewable energy deployment, and more affordable electric vehicles continues at pace.
We are making significant strides toward our target of 80% renewable energy by 2030 and we are now prioritising the development of offshore wind capacity. This Government has approved an unprecedented investment of €18.9 billion in Grid for the period 2026 – 2030 which is fundamental to the electrification of homes, businesses and transport. The 2025 ZEVI target for electrical vehicle sales of 195,000 was surpassed in October 2025.
In line with our Programme for Government commitment, enhanced implementation governance arrangements to support accelerated climate action delivery, have been put in place in 2025 to streamline structures, ensure key strategic projects are supported and that corrective action is taken quickly where delivery is at risk.
