Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2019
512. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if directions to public bodies under section 15(2) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 have been issued by his Department or other Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2564/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra513. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the local authorities that have notified his Department under section 4(13)(a) or (b) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 of their intention to adopt or their adoption of climate change mitigation measures; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2565/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 512 and 513 together.
I have secured government approval to develop an All of Government Plan which will set out the actions which must be taken in every Government Department and Body in order first to ensure we: deliver our 2030 targets; prepare for deep decarbonisation by 2050; and to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change.
There will be substantial engagement with Departments and agencies as the Plan is developed. In that context I have asked each body under the aegis of my Department to consider their own direct contribution, their practices and the clients and stakeholders with whom they directly interact, to see how climate action can be prioritised.
Section 4(13) of the 2015 Act provides that a local authority may notify the Minister or the Government in writing of specific climate mitigation measures that have been adopted or are intended to be adopted by that local authority. My Department has not received any notification to date under section 4(13) of the Act.
Notwithstanding this, my Department is engaging with a full range of public bodies on foot of other relevant provisions of the 2015 Act. Section 14 provides for the preparation and submission to the Oireachtas of an Annual Transition Statement setting out the mitigation and adaptation measures adopted to reduce emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change and enable the achievement of the national transition objective. The 2018 Annual Transition Statement, available on my Department’s website at www.dccae.gov.ie, summarises activity being undertaken across Government as well as in the local government sector to implement both the National Mitigation Plan and National Adaptation Framework.
In January 2018, the Government announced the provision of €10m to the local authority sector to establish four Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs). The Climate Action Regional Offices are being operated by a lead local authority in four different regions grouped according to shared climate change risks. The establishment of these offices will enable a more coordinated engagement across the whole of government and will help build on the experience and expertise which exists across the sector.
Section 15(2) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 provides that a relevant Minister may give a direction to a relevant public body requiring it to submit a report specifying the measures it has adopted to have regard to, in the performance of its functions,
· the most recent approved national mitigation plan, national adaptation framework, or approved sectoral adaptation plans;
· the furtherance of the national transition objective; and
· the objective of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change in the State.
I have not issued directions to any relevant public body in the context of section 15(2) of the Act.
