Written Answers Nos. 25-44
25. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which provision can be made to expedite the application process for work permits, given the increased demand in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9328/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March 2020, the Employment Permits Section of my Department implemented a COVID-19 contingency plan to ensure that the employment permit regime could continue to operate throughout the crisis. Since 30th March, the employment permit system has been operating fully remotely and online.
Operational practices have been adjusted to replace the paper-based elements of the service to allow for a fully online process involving electronic/scanned documents and all decisions/outcomes now issue via e-mail rather than by post. Agreement was reached with the Immigration Service Delivery in the Department of Justice and Equality on arrangements to introduce, on a temporary basis, a type of “e-employment permit” and a similar soft copy process to transition to permanent residence permission.
At 31 December 2020, Employment Permits Section issued 16,419 permits. This figure is slightly higher than the total number of permits issued in 2019, which was 16,383 and is a 12 year high for the amount of permits issued. For the month of January 2021 Employment Permits issued 1,369 permits, which is 3.5% higher than the number of permits issued for the same month last year (1,322).
The current processing waiting times for Trusted Partner applications is 2 weeks and for Standard applications 5 weeks, which is largely within our ambitious customer service targets of 2 and 4 weeks respectively. Therefore there are no delays in employment permit processing at present.
Full details in relation to the contingency arrangements introduced by the Employment Permits Section in response to the pandemic can be accessed on my Department's website through the following link: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/COVID-19-Employment-Permits-System-Contingency-Arrangements.html
27. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action that will be taken to ensure that a person (details supplied) is provided with fibre broadband or a suitable alternative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9023/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 11 February 2021, over 174,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys in County Kerry have been completed in Townlands around Killarney including Muckross, Fossa, Kilcummin, Lissivigeen, Ballycasheen, Faha, Firies and Ballyhar, and in Townlands around Tralee including Curraheen, Abbeydorney, Kilflynn, Firies, Castlemaine and Ardfert. Pre- build works have started in the areas around Tralee in Curraheen, Abbeydorney, Kilflynn, Firies, Castlemaine, and Ardfert.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Kerry through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 11 February, 268 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCPs are installed at Gneeveguilla (Tureencahill), Railway Station Heritage Centre and Community Space, Inch Community Centre, Kielduff Community Centre and Cillín Liath. BCP sites at Cable Station and Chapeltown are installed and connected. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Boheeshil National School, Dunloe Upper and Coars National School are installed by NBI for educational access as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
28. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if it will be ensured that future appointees to the Climate Change Advisory Council will have relevant public health expertise; his views on whether climate change is the greatest threat to global health this century (details supplied) and that recovery from Covid-19 must build upon the current focus on public health to ensure Ireland and those supported by Ireland through Irish Aid are resilient to future health issues and take advantage of the opportunities for improved health afforded by tackling climate change in an holistic and health inclusive way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9026/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 8 of the Climate and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 established the Climate Change Advisory Council on a statutory basis. In view of the statutory five-year term of the first Council expiring, I recently appointed the following new members to the Climate Change Advisory Council:
- Ms. Marie Donnelly, Chairperson;
- Professor John FitzGerald, Ordinary Member;
- Professor Ottmar Edenhofer, Ordinary Member; and
- Professor Peter Thorne, Ordinary Member.
I will formally appoint the remaining Advisory Council members, to give effect to the provisions of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021, on completion of the Bill’s passage through the Oireachtas. In making appointments to the Advisory Council, I will take into account the statutory requirements in the Act and provisions in the Bill, that is, to ensure appointments have a broad range of expertise and competences required to carry out current Advisory Council functions and proposed new functions.
The Government is committed to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 (a 51% reduction over the decade) and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. The Climate and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 sets the framework for how we will make fundamental changes to address the climate challenge. The Bill will ensure delivery of successive Climate Action Plans and Long-Term Climate Action Strategies, supported by a system of carbon budgeting and sectoral targets with appropriate oversight by Government, the Oireachtas, and a strengthened Climate Change Advisory Council.
I am currently leading the preparation of the next Climate Action Plan, which will set out actions that must be taken across every economic sector to ensure we deliver on our climate commitments. Preparation involves engagement and input from all relevant Government Departments and sectors, including considerations that will improve the health and well-being of society. It is crucial that as we rebuild and recover from COVID-19 that we break the link between fossil fuels and economic progress, balancing considerations of fairness, cost effectiveness and solidarity and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Ireland has placed climate action among the four major policy priorities in its international development policy A Better World. Ireland focuses most of its international development cooperation and climate action in Least Developed Countries to assist and support those most impacted and exposed to threats of climate change. A key lesson learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic is that in order for it be overcome, we need to deal with it in a collaborative and coordinated way internationally, and improve our understanding of the impact of recovery measures across multiple policy dimensions. The Programme for Government reaffirms the commitment in A Better World to double the overall percentage of our development assistance that counts as climate finance. Increasing our climate finance will support a global green recovery, and in doing so, support a healthier and cleaner environment and society.
29. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when legislation will be published by his Department to deal with the difficulties being encountered by local authorities that need to erect CCTV cameras in locations in which illegal dumping is taking place. [9032/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's recently published “Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy”, contains a commitment to ensure that all waste enforcement legislation will be “data proofed”, so that all available and emerging technologies can be fully utilised for enforcement activities in a manner which is General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant.
My Department is currently working on a Circular Economy Bill which will include, inter alia, provisions to give effect to the commitment in the Waste Action Plan. This will help to ensure that the processing of personal data could be carried out by local authorities, in order to protect our environment from the scourge of illegal dumping, while at the same time respecting the privacy rights of citizens.
30. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the stakeholder forum on the sustainable development goals; the membership of that group; the dates of meetings held since its inception; the scope of their work; the Departments represented in the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9064/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious policy agenda that concerns all Government Departments.
A fundamental feature of the 2030 Agenda is the inclusive and active voice stakeholders had in both the negotiation and adoption of the Agenda. Achieving sustainable development, and particularly the targets and commitments set out in the 17 SDGs, requires not only action by Government but all individuals across society.
The first Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020 published in 2018, set out Ireland’s strategy to achieve the SDGs and committed the Government to establishing a national Sustainable Development Goals Stakeholder Forum.
Chaired by my Department, the National SDG Stakeholder Forum brings together representatives from all Government Departments, and provides a mechanism for key stakeholders to engage in the national implementation of the Goals, and inputting to the national reporting framework.
The Forum aims for open and inclusive engagement with representatives across different stakeholder groups, and includes voices from groups at risk of social exclusion and/or discrimination in the national implementation of the Goals.
Six National Stakeholder Fora have taken place to date, with two fora in 2018 and four further fora in 2019. Further details are set out in the table below.
|
2019 Fora |
18 December |
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/88b77-december-2019-national-sustainable-development-goals-stakeholder-forum/ |
|
2019 Fora |
18 October |
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/71f18-october-2019-national-sustainable-development-goals-stakeholder-forum/ |
|
2019 Fora |
30 July |
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/30e167-july-2019-stakeholder-forum-on-sustainable-development-goals/ |
|
2019 Fora |
31 January |
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/daa679-january-2018-national-sustainable-development-goals-stakeholder-forum/ |
|
2018 Fora |
19 October |
https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/19493/5b93283df8e44b8a978ec794ef2bad9a.pdf#page=1 |
|
2018 Fora |
June 2018 |
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b551d5-2018-forums/ |
Ensuring and improving policy coherence across the Goals is a critical feature and area for consideration in developing a revision of the National Implementation Plan. As part of this process, the lead and stakeholder Departments for each of the Goals and targets is being reviewed, and a roadmap and timeline for completion of the new Plan is currently being finalised, with publication envisaged later this year. The SDG Stakeholder Forum will remain an important feature in the development of, and implementation of the next Plan. Scheduling of the next Stakeholder Forum meeting will be informed by the finalised roadmap.
31. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an issue raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) regarding the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020 will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9077/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra35. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a commitment to reduce polluting emissions by an average of 7% a year and by 51% in total by 2030 and a commitment to ban the importation of fracked gas and ban liquefied natural gas, LNG, terminals in Ireland will be included in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020 in line with the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9184/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 35 together.
This Government is committed to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, equivalent to a 51% reduction over the decade and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. A key aspect of delivering our climate objectives will be enacting the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill. This Bill will provide a strengthened governance framework, including five-year carbon budgets, to achieve the objective of a climate neutral economy by 2050 at the latest.
I welcome the extensive pre-legislative scrutiny report on the Bill, published by the Joint Committee on Climate Action on 18 December. I am currently finalising amendments to the draft Bill on foot of the report and its recommendations, and will bring it to Government as soon as possible for approval to publish it and initiate the legislative process in the Oireachtas.
A statutory ban on fracking in Ireland is already established under the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Act 2017, which prohibits the exploration for and extraction of onshore petroleum by means of hydraulic fracturing. Additionally, in line with the Programme for Government, my Department is no longer accepting new applications for exploration licences for natural gas or oil. I plan to include provisions putting this commitment on a statutory basis as part of the forthcoming Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill.
The Programme for Government recognises that as Ireland moves towards carbon neutrality, it does not make sense to develop LNG terminals that import fracked gas and commits to developing a policy statement to establish that approach. My Department is in the process of developing the policy statement, which includes consideration of any necessary legal and regulatory provisions. This includes detailed examination of the European energy and environmental frameworks, in which our national laws operate, to ensure the policy statement will be legally robust. Once finalised, I intend to bring the policy statement to Government for approval.
32. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of fibre broadband to an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9115/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 11 February 2021, over 174,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys in County Monaghan have been completed in Cornacassa, Cortolvin, Ballybay and Stranooden. Surveys are ongoing in Drumcru, Stonebridge, Tiernahinch, Clones, Annalore, Kileevan, Drumullan, Newbliss, Cumber, Scotshouse, Clonowla, Clonagore, Clonooney, Mullinahinch, Bellanode, Drumhilock, Tydavnet, Cloughnart, Scotstown and Killymarley. Further details are available on specific areas within County Monaghan through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 11 February, 268 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCP’s are installed at Corduff Community Centre, Tannagh Outdoor Education Centre, Corcaghan Community Centre, Carn Resource Centre, Mullyash Community Centre and Monaghan GAA Centre of Excellence. BCP sites at Saint Alphonsus Community Hall, Ballybay Wetlands and Latton Resource Centre are installed and connected. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Annalitten, Drumgossatt and Saint Brigid's National School are installed by NBI for educational access as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
33. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the contact details for the sections that deal with all ongoing and established grant funding in his Department and in each agency under the remit of his Department in tabular form. [9127/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
34. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the person or body that has responsibility for inland fisheries here considering the launch on 27 January 2021 of a new policy roadmap for inland fisheries by his Department; if all existing inland fisheries legislation that is applicable to lacustrine special areas of conservation, SACs, will be correctly aligned with the EU habitats and water framework Directives under this new roadmap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9165/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has overall statutory and policy responsibility for the inland fisheries Sector. Inland Fisheries Ireland, which operates under the remit of my Departments has statutory responsibility for the management, protection, conservation and promotion of the inland fisheries and sea angling resource.
Adherence to the relevant requirements of EU Directives is a key consideration for all policy, legislation and operational matters in the inland fisheries sector.
The Roadmap which I published last month is the first step in the development of a new policy and regulatory framework that will recognise and protect Ireland's precious inland fisheries resource.
36. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that have been taken regarding the Review of International Practices in Government Communications June 2019 (details supplied); if any of the recommendations of the report have been implemented; the further steps that will be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9186/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis review was managed by the Government Information Service in Department of the Taoiseach and is not related to the work of the Communications Sectoral Area within my Department.
I have been informed however, that the majority of recommendations were already in train prior to the review and continue to be developed as part of the Programme for Government’s commitment to improve engagement with all citizen’s on topics of national importance.
37. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that has been made in introducing legislation with regard to the EU conflict minerals regulation; the estimated number of companies to fall under the regulation; the supervisory authority that will be responsible for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9195/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU Regulation 2017/821 lays down supply chain due diligence obligations for Union importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas.
Statutory Instrument No. 16 of 2021 (available at http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/) designates the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications as Competent Authority for the purpose of EU Regulation 2017/821. There are currently 13 companies which will fall under the remit of the EU Regulation, the implementation of which is being overseen by my Department.
38. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will include the horticultural peat industry in the just transition programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9295/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister I have no direct role in relation to the horticulture sector. A working group has been established by the Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine the future role of peat in the horticulture sector and next steps.
The objective of the 2020 Just Transition Fund is to fund innovative projects that contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the Wider Midlands region, and which have employment and enterprise potential. The call for applications to the Fund closed in July 2020.
Provisional offers have been made to 47 projects in the Midlands through the Just Transition Fund under Strand 2, totalling €27.8m in funding to the region, subject to project verification and state aid eligible costs. This is in addition to the €1.2m announced for 16 projects last September under Strand 1. Further details of these projects can be found on the Just Transition Gov.ie webpage.
Ireland will also receive funding from the EU Just Transition Fund. This will be used to alleviate the socio-economic impacts of the low carbon transition in the most affected regions across the EU by, for example, supporting the re-skilling of workers, helping SMEs to create new economic opportunities, and diversification of economic activity. Ireland has secured an allocation of €77 million from the EU Just Transition Fund for investments over the period 2021 to 2027. In accordance with the relevant EU legislation, Ireland must now prepare a Territorial Just Transition Plan, for approval by the European Commission, in order to secure access to its EU allocation of funding. This Plan will set out Ireland’s proposed investment priorities as well as targeted sectors and regions.
Work on this plan has commenced in my Department and will be supported by technical assistance under the European Commission’s Structural Reform Support Programme, which will assist in the development of the evidence base to inform the selection of investment priorities for inclusion in the Territorial Plan. I envisage that this work will be completed in the first half of this year.
39. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagements, including meetings, briefings and so on, he has had regarding the North-South interconnector since taking office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9296/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe North South interconnector is a vital piece of national electricity infrastructure and critical to ensuring a safe, secure and competitive source of electricity in Ireland. The Interconnector is therefore part of regular discussions between myself and officials on an ongoing basis.
The project is vitally important to the development of our energy infrastructure and it is critical to improving the efficient operation of Single Electricity Market and increasing the security of supply across Ireland on an all island basis. Its delivery is also consistent with commitments made in the Programme for Government to move towards 70% renewable electricity on the grid by 2030.
EirGrid and ESB Networks, as our electricity system operators, always seek to work in close collaboration with landowners and stakeholders in the delivery of electricity infrastructure. Both companies are engaging with those living closest to the route of the interconnector. In that regard EirGrid has already set in place a variety of engagements locally, including the appointment of community liaison officers and a mobile information unit active in the area. I expect such engagements to intensify in the coming months, subject of course to national public health guidelines on Covid-19.
I believe that this important new cross-Border infrastructure will significantly facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the power system, will bring economic benefits to the region and can address our climate objectives on the island of Ireland.
40. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the decision to cease the production of moss peat will be reconsidered in view of the fact that the horticultural sector relies on the product for the growing of trees, shrubs, plants, which in turn are a repository for carbons; if an evaluation has been carried out on the positive aspects of the use of the necessary amount of peat for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9331/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Environmental Protections Agency's National Inventory Report 2020 sets out emissions from different land use sectors. While wetlands, which cover areas used for peat production, was a net emitter of approximately 1.5 Mt CO2 equivalent in 2018, bog rehabilitation and restoration will play a key role in tackling our climate and biodiversity challenges in the coming decades.
To support the role of peatlands in providing nature-based solutions to tackle climate change the Government, in November 2020, approved funding of up to €108m for Bord Na Móna's Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme. This scheme will support a just transition in the Midlands region, while protecting the storage of 100 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and avoiding the release of a further 3.2m tonnes out to 2050; enhance biodiversity; and contribute to Ireland's objective of being climate-neutral by 2050.
My Department has no direct role in relation to the horticulture sector, including the sourcing of peat or peat products for the sector. However, a working group is being established by the Minister of State for Heritage and Local Government Reform in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine the future role of peat and the use of peat alternatives in the horticulture sector.
41. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if it is planned to import peat and peat products to meet the needs of the horticultural sector; if the continued production of peat for this sector will be considered as an alternative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9332/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 205 of 10 December 2020.
My Department has no direct role in relation to the horticulture sector, including the sourcing of peat or peat products for the sector. However, a working group is being established by the Minister of State for Heritage and Local Government Reform in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine the future role of peat and the use of peat alternatives in the horticulture sector.
42. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the degree to which his Department continues to monitor the various factors contributing to carbon production; the way a reduction can be achieved in the short to medium term, having due regard to the environment and the economic needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9333/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for monitoring Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions rests with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who prepare our national emissions inventories and projections. Inventories are compiled by the EPA according to international standards to meet EU and United Nations reporting obligations and to inform national policy development. The national emissions inventory report contains detailed information on the factors contributing to carbon production across all sectors of the economy.
The Climate Action Plan 2019 identifies how Ireland will achieve its 2030 targets for carbon emissions, and puts us on a trajectory which would be consistent with net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Key measures in Climate Action Plan 2019 which will support emissions reductions in the short to medium term include:
- Enacting the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021;
- Delivering 70% renewable electricity, including a building a new offshore wind sector;
- Having 900,000 electric vehicles on our roads, including 61,000 electric delivery vans, 34,000 electric trucks and up to 1,200 electric buses;
- Retrofitting 500,000 buildings, phasing out of fossil fuel boilers, and bringing in new renewable heat systems;
- Delivering significant improvements in the carbon storing potential of our land use across Ireland, including re-wetting of bogs.
It is important that we ensure these policy changes support economic and social development, employment retention and creation, and that their wider environmental impact is understood. Therefore, the strategies to deliver the emissions reductions will require extensive consultation, detailed planning and analysis, organisation, and adequate mechanisms for funding and incentives. Furthermore, we must embed climate resilience as part of our recovery to the Covid-19 pandemic. It will be important that the increase in climate ambition set out in the Programme for Government is achieved in a cost-effective manner balancing considerations of fairness, cost effectiveness and solidarity, while ensuring that no one is left behind.
43. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the most important steps that can be taken here to address the issue of climate change while at the same time balancing this against economic needs such as the transport and agrifood sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9334/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSignificant further action is required to meet the climate ambition set out in the Programme for Government, which contains a commitment to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030.
It is the Government's priority to enact the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021, which sets the framework for how we will make fundamental changes to address the climate challenge. The Bill will ensure delivery of successive Climate Action Plans and Long-Term Climate Action Strategies, supported by a system of carbon budgeting and sectoral targets with appropriate oversight by Government, the Oireachtas, and a strengthened Climate Change Advisory Council.
Another key step will be the preparation of the next Climate Action Plan, which will set out actions that must be taken across every economic sector to ensure we deliver on our climate commitments. In order to ensure these policy changes support economic and social development as well as employment retention and creation, the strategies to deliver the emissions reductions will require extensive consultation, detailed planning and analysis, organisation and adequate mechanisms for funding and incentives.
With the correct policy choices in the agriculture sector, we can reward farmers for sequestering carbon, restoring biodiversity, improving water and air quality, producing clean energy, and developing schemes that support results-based outcomes. Similarly, policies introducing sustainable mobility can improve quality of living in our towns and cities,with cleaner air less noise and greater access to public transport.
It is crucial that we make structural changes which will break the link between fossil fuels and economic progress. We must embed climate resilience as part of our recovery. It will be important that the increase in climate ambition is achieved in a cost-effective manner balancing considerations of fairness, cost effectiveness and solidarity, ensuring that no one is left behind.
44. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which air quality continues to be monitored at various locations throughout the country; the trends identified in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9335/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra46. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the types of air pollutant most readily detected throughout the country; the extent to which the issue is being dealt with by way of reduction measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9338/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 46 together.
While air quality in Ireland is generally good, the European Environment Agency’s Air Quality in Europe 2020 report indicates that in 2018 there were 1,410 premature deaths in Ireland as a result of air pollution, and a total of 17,560 years of life lost.
The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for monitoring ambient air quality in Ireland via the national Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme. Under this programme the national monitoring network has undergone a significant upgrade in recent years, and has been expanded from 30 stations in 2017 to 90 today.
All monitoring stations collect air quality data for a range of pollutants in order to provide information to the public, and for assessment against European legal limit values and World Health Organisation guideline values. Real-time data from these monitoring stations is available online at all times at www.airquality.ie, and the most recent report on Ireland’s air quality can be found at https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/air/quality/epaairqualityreport2019.html.
As more comprehensive, real-time, localised air quality information becomes available, it is apparent that there are key pollutants which still need to be considered more comprehensively. While nitrogen dioxide from transport emissions, and ammonia generated by certain agricultural practices are pollutants of concern, these are being addressed through a range of policies as set out in the National Air Pollution Control Programme. Particulate matter, from the burning of solid fuel, is estimated to cause 1,300 premature deaths per year in Ireland, and Government is committed to addressing this public health and environmental challenge thorough a nationwide ban on smoky coal and enhanced regulation of other solid fuels.
I am taking the first step in this process by launching a public consultation which will seek views in relation to the national application of the regulations currently applied to bituminous coal, as well as informing the development of appropriate regulatory controls for other residential solid fuels. This will be an opportunity for all parties - consumers, retailers, producers and industry - to consider the issues, input to the process at the earliest stage, and to consider alternatives as appropriate, as we take the actions required to achieve our ambition of cleaner air across all of Ireland.
