Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 November 2021
141. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the discussions he and his Department have had with officials in Irish aviation with regard to lower emissions aircraft and overall emission reduction in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53213/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are several major EU proposals relating to sustainable aviation currently under discussion as part of the Commission’s Fit for 55 legislative package. Cumulatively these measures have the potential to lower emissions from aircraft and significantly decarbonise the sector over the coming decades. They will also have significant impacts on airlines and the aviation sector more widely. Department of Transport Officials consult on an ongoing basis with industry through the Regulatory Working Group of the National Civil Aviation Development Forum (NCADF) and its environment subgroup. Both major airlines, Ryanair and Aer Lingus, are represented in this group as well as the Dublin Airport Authority and other Airports. The sub-group last met to discuss these proposals on 12 Oct. Officials from my Department have also met with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and are continuing to liaise with other relevant Departments and State Agencies, including the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) which has overall responsibility for climate action, and the National Oil Reserve Agency (NORA) who oversee Ireland’s fuel supplies, including in the area of aviation.
These EU proposals are currently progressing through the appropriate EU Council Working Parties. Staff at Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels have also held a series of engagements on the files with Aer Lingus, the International Airlines Group (IAG), IATA, Airlines for America, Ryanair and the European Express Association. Ongoing work on the files has also seen them engage with Members of the European Parliament and with the environmental NGO - Transport and Environment. Both Dublin and Brussels-based officials continue to engage with the directorate of the European Commission with responsibility for transport - DG Move.
The Revision of the ETS for Aviation, The Revision of the Energy Taxation Directive and the ReFuelEU Initiative.
