Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2023
110. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he supports Ireland becoming part of the group of the states advocating for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty; if he will outline Ireland's policy on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41127/23]
View answerOur reliance on fossil fuels is incompatible with the Paris Agreement and a low-carbon future. Ireland supports measures that reinforce and advance our transition away from a reliance on fossil fuels. We are taking action both domestically and internationally to tackle our reliance on fossil fuels. Following the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act 2018, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (under the National Treasury Management Agency) divested from fossil fuel companies and holds a list of companies in which it will not invest. Ireland has also ended the issuing of new exploration licences for fossil fuels and will manage existing authorisations towards a natural conclusion, through expiration, relinquishment, or production. International collaboration is key to achieving the widespread, transformative change needed to tackle climate change. At COP26, Ireland joined the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance as a core member because of our determination to shift the global relationship with nature from a place of extraction to rehabilitation.
This commitment was demonstrated further at COP27 when Ireland joined the Global Offshore Wind Alliance to create a global driving force for the uptake of offshore wind through political mobilisation and the creation of a global community of practice. At this year’s COP28 Ireland will continue to advocate for the move away from fossil fuels.
