Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2018
78. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which he expects to be in a position to address deficiencies in the development of the alternative energy sector in the capital programme having particular regard to the need to address issues of national and international concern such as carbon reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2603/18]
View answerI should first explain that both the development of the energy sector and formulation of policy on climate action is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
What I can say is that the review of the capital plan, published last September, concluded that public capital investment is key to supporting the radical societal transformation required to achieve a low carbon and climate resilient economy by 2050.
Investment choices have already been informed by this assessment. In Budget 2018, on the basis of the review undertaken, an additional €200 million in capital expenditure was allocated to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment for the period to 2021. This will allow for a step change in efforts to achieve Ireland’s energy efficiency targets and renewable energy objectives, in the context of moving towards a low carbon economy.
Building on the analysis contained in the review, the new 10 year capital plan which is currently being finalised is intended to be a key mechanism to secure climate action objectives.
The fundamental purpose of the 10 year capital plan is to enable the implementation of the new National Planning Framework (NFP) detailed in the Ireland 2040 Plan. Securing environmental sustainability is a key theme running through all element of the new spatial policy set out in the NPF.
The funding of energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes will play a key role in seeking to meet climate change and energy targets as well as reducing expenditure on imported fossil fuels, underpinning domestic energy sector employment and reducing emissions from our annual energy usage.
As well as Exchequer investment, the commercial State sector as part of the Capital Plan also undertakes investment in renewables, including biomass and forestry, in order to support the delivery of Government's objectives in these areas.
It is important to stress that there is a detailed governance framework already embedded in the allocation of capital resources through which significant investment decisions must be aligned with all government policies, including environmental policy. All Departments are responsible for ensuring projects meet with the appropriate regulatory requirements including environmental impact assessments.
