Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
240. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which he has had discussions with employer or employee groups with a view to achieving reduced commuter traffic and thereby helping to achieve carbon reduction targets without loss of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35411/20]
View answerThis Government is committed to a programme of climate action that is essential if we are to address the climate crisis that threatens our safe future on this planet. The Programme for Government commits to an average 7% per annum reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the next ten years. This step-change in ambition will be challenging and require fundamental changes in so many parts of Irish life, but I believe that Ireland can and will rise to this challenge. In doing so we will be able to improve the health, welfare and security of all our people. The next iteration of the Climate Action Plan will identify and set out the far reaching policy changes across every sector to deliver these emissions reductions.
In particular, the Programme for Government includes a number of commitments that will help to promote a transition to active mobility where members of the workforce are encouraged to walk, cycle or take public transport to work, and which will help commuter road traffic and assist in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. These include:
- accelerating the electrification of the transport system, including electric bikes, electric vehicles, and electric public transport;
- developing a strategy for remote working and remote service delivery, taking advantage of the opportunity for a rapid roll-out of the National Broadband Plan;
- ensuring an unprecedented modal shift in all areas by a reorientation of investment to walking, cycling and public transport; and
- developing a new Sustainable Rural Mobility Plan.
In 2019 the then Government launched Future Jobs Ireland. One of the pillars of that policy is the transition to a low carbon economy. Increasing the capacity and opportunity to work remotely was considered key to the implementation of the low carbon pillar. Subsequently, in December 2019 the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation published Remote Work in Ireland , a report on how flexible working options, including remote working, could benefit the economy as a whole. In addition, in July 2020, the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation launched a public consultation on remote working, the findings of which are available on https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Remote-Working/.
As part of the development of an updated Climate Action Plan, I propose to launch a public consultation and call for evidence in the coming weeks. I would welcome input to this process from employer groups on the matters raised by the Deputy.
