Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2187. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the body that is to oversee the implementation of the carbon pricing and cross-cutting policies heading of the climate action plan 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32034/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI published the Climate Action Plan on 17 June. The plan sets out, for the first time, how Ireland can reach its 2030 targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also put Ireland on the right trajectory towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Actions 7 to 15 in the Plan refer to the implementation of a range of cross-cutting policy measures including: implementing a carbon tax rate of at least €80 per tonne by 2030 and carrying out a full assessment of a trajectory of increases over successive annual Budgets; developing a strategy to mobilise private sector investment to meet our climate targets; and the implementation of the National Planning Framework. The Annex of Actions to the Plan identifies the Department or body with lead responsibility for each action.
The Climate Action Plan sets out new governance arrangements to ensure that the Plan is effectively implemented, including the Climate Action Delivery Board, which has been established in the Department of the Taoiseach to oversee delivery of the Plan. The Delivery Board's quarterly meetings will be jointly chaired by the Secretaries General of the Department of the Taoiseach and my Department and its membership comprises Secretaries General from Departments responsible for the actions outlined in the Plan. The first meeting of the Board took place on 16 July 2019.
The Board will ensure coordinated, timely and effective implementation of the actions in the Plan, including cross-cutting actions, and hold each Department and public body accountable for the delivery. In addition the Board will discuss and review strategic projects and areas of work in the Plan. It will prepare quarterly reports on delivery for the Government which will be published.
It will also contribute to the development of an annual update of the Plan, starting in early 2020. This will ensure that this Plan is a living document, with new actions being added each year. This follows the successful approach which was core to delivering the Action Plan for Jobs.
