“We are seeing encouraging signs. Ireland’s emissions have been falling for the last three years, and we now have lower overall emissions that at any point in the last 35 years, despite our population growing by 50% over that period and rapid economic development since then.

“Change is underway across our economy and society to steer Ireland towards a low-carbon future. Reducing emissions is now at the heart of all our policies and sectors.

“We are seeing real progress in the areas of energy, transport and agriculture but recent EPA projections make clear one thing: we must move faster and do more.

Officials across the system are already working on CAP26 – the next iteration of the Climate Action Plan that must now focused on meaningful actions and accelerated delivery to help close the emissions gap that has been identified.”

“The record-breaking heatwave that hit Europe in recent weeks is yet another reminder to us all that climate change is here and it is now. We must act with resolve.

“I strongly believe that a multilateral approach remains the best and most effective way the international community can respond to the global climate crisis.

Working with our EU partners, Ireland will play its full part in curtailing the emissions that are causing the problem and work towards protecting the most vulnerable among us, at home and abroad, from the threat that climate change presents.”

“This is my first progress report as Minister, and I’m encouraged to see the range of climate action measures being delivered. We’re also continuing to clear the backlog of actions from Climate Action Plan 2023 and 2024, which is critical to building momentum.

“There are positives – this is the third year in a row of falling emissions, and they’re now at their lowest level in over three decades. But the message for me is clear: we need more action, delivered faster. That’s where my focus lies. We have already established a new Programme Board, which will serve as an high-level inter-Departmental mechanism to unblock delays and accelerate delivery. This body will report directly to the Climate Action Delivery Board, which I now chair, driving the delivery of our climate action measures.

This report is a reflection of progress to date and there is positive momentum – but my focus is also on the future. My priority now is to make the benefits of climate action real in people’s everyday lives – whether that’s cleaner air, more affordable public transport or more comfortable and efficient homes through our retrofit schemes. We’re making progress, but now we need to accelerate that progress as we head into the second carbon budget period.”